International Forestry Cooperation in Europe - Building on Experience

Joensuu

1997

16 S.

Bandaufführung

14099

73083

International forestry in Europe has achieved much in the past half century but its rapid expansion has given rise to inefficiencies and controversies which should be addressed. Adjustments are needed rather than drastic reform; consolidation and pruning rather than further expansion of international activities. The introduction of additional services should, therefore, wherever possible, be balanced by reductions elsewhere. Adjustments should be guided by the principles of subsidiarity and simplicity. Subsidiarity implies that legally binding arrangements should only be introduced when voluntary arrangements are unlikely to work, and voluntary arrangements only when the pooling of information does not suffice. Simplicity implies inter alia the involvement of a minimum number of organisations. International forestry activites can be particularly valuable when they are in support of interdisciplinary programmes. Efforts to raise the already commendable standards of forest resource and forest products statistics in Europe are highly desirable but the compilation of statistics on the environmental and social aspects of forestry has been of little valuea and should cease unless and until the probable benefits can be crlearly demonstrated. The large number of international organisations which include a little forestry in their other activites inevitably leads to a dispersion and duplication of effort, but forestry would suffer if environmental, economic, and scientific organisations ignored the forestry implications of their work and vice versa. Proponents of rationalisation should take that into account. In overseas development programmes the emphasis should shift - from aid to cooperation, - from trees to people, - from pure forestry to integrated rural land use. The undesired expansion of an international organisation can best be curbed if major contrubutors to its funds exert their influence in an effective but enlightened manner. The controversies between foresters and environmental lobbies can only be resolved by constructive dialogue on specific issues. This dialogue must be based on a recognition and acceptance of relevant facts. The certification of wood harvested in Europe as coming from sustainably managed forests calls for a dual approach from the forest sector: I. Negotiations should continue with major environmental organisations in order to devise national schemes which would be workable and not too expensive. II. The public should be made aware that certification is likely to contribute less to improvements in forest management than publicity, persuasion and, in certain circumstances, financial incentives.