In their conclusions, ministers responsible for forests in the European Union (EU) endorse the EU Forest Strategy and underline the crucial role of forests and the forest sector in setting the path towards a bio-based or, so called, green economy.  They also highlight the contribution of forests and the forest sector to rural development in the EU, as well as the key role of forests for biodiversity conservation, provision of ecosystem services, and mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

The new EU Forest Strategy is expected to improve coordination and coherence of forest-related policies, as well as enable synergies with other sectors influencing forest management in the EU.

The Council's conclusions refer to the commitment of the European Union and its Member States to implement sustainable forest management (SFM) respecting the Declarations and Resolutions adopted within the FOREST EUROPE process.  In this respect, special reference is made to the shared vision on European forests set out in the Oslo Ministerial Decision on European Forests 2020, since it is fundamental for understanding the current policy framework for forests in Europe.

Furthermore, they recall the existing SFM criteria and indicators developed by FOREST EUROPE, and stress the need to take full advantage of them, applying them to different policy contexts.

As is stated in the Council's conclusions, the EU's positions relating to forests in regional and global fora will have to be coherent with the EU Forest Strategy.  The importance of the implementation of this strategy is also emphasized.

Read the complete press release from the Council of the European Union on this issue at: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/agricult/142685.pdf