SBHSS engaging in a constructive dialogue with the Commission on the future of EU forest related policy
During the political steering group conference of Småland Blekinge Halland South Sweden (SBHSS), annually held in Brussels, SBHSS’s Policy Group on Forestry seized the opportunity to hand over a new input paper on forest related initiatives to the European Commission. SBHSS sees the importance of engaging in a constructive dialogue with the Commission on forest related matters and wants to provide the Commission with concrete suggestions for the forest related EU policy beyond 2024. It is time that Nordic forested regions play a more active role in EU related issues that matter to them.
In recent years, several proposals with significance for forest bioeconomy have been negotiated at the EU-level. By monitoring these proposals, it has been made clear that geographical conditions and views on the forest differ significantly between EU’s member states. The forest in the Nordic regions differ from the rest of the continent, which makes it relevant for SBHSS to advocate for our interests. 71 % of the land area of Småland Blekinge Halland is covered by woodlands, which in multiple ways contribute to the economic, social and cultural welfare of the SBHSS´ regions. In addition, most of this forest is privately owned by many small forest owners. The forest growth is also among the highest in Europe, and we have areas with unique nature values.
With the aim to better coordinate forest related policy questions amongst the regions of Småland Blekinge Halland, and to enable a more rapid response to policy initiatives by the EU, the SBHSS Policy Group on Forestry was established in 2021. The group has since then produced a position paper on the EU´s New Forest Strategy for 2030, from which the group has been able to foster a constructive dialogue with both the national as well as the EU level. As of latest, the group has produced a new input paper, which in short include the following topics:
- New certification scheme for closer-to-nature forestry
- Public and Private Payment Schemes for forests
- Creating balance and coherence on EU forest related policy across DG´s
- Importance of replacing fossil-based products with renewable wood-based alternatives
- Sustainable private forest ownership
- Importance of cooperation for climate change adaptation
Småland Blekinge Halland South Sweden (SBHSS) sees the importance of engaging in a constructive dialogue with the EU Commission on forest related matters and wants to provide the Commission with concrete suggestions for the forest related EU policy beyond 2024. It is time that Nordic forested regions play a more active role in EU related issues that matters to them.
If you want to read the input paper and have questions about our Policy Group of Forestry and how SBHSS thinks about EU forest related policy and other policy areas, please contact EU Policy Officer, Martin Broberg, Martin.broberg@sbhss.eu, +32 492 45 48 92.