A3-0115/94

Resolution on urgent measures to save European forests

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the motion for a resolution by Mr Görlach on the amendment of European seed legislation (B3-0300/93),

-having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

-having delegated power of decision to its Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection pursuant to Rule 52 of its Rules of Procedure,

-having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection (A3-0115/94),

A.whereas forestry in Europe has important economic, ecological, sociological and cultural functions and whereas the conservation of the natural diversity and beauty of forests in the naturally wooded continent of Europe is of particular significance,

B.recognizing the diverse and universally beneficial effects of semi-natural forests in providing protection against soil erosion, stabilization of the water economy and the micro-climate, prevention of air pollution, as a habitat for numerous types of plants and animals and as a recreational area for people,

C.whereas, although the ecological functions of forests are recognized, in practice they are still subordinate to the economic functions, even though in many areas the protective functions of the forest are far more valuable than the economic returns,

D.concerned at the increase in forest die-back and the extent of clearance for agricultural and building purposes, the latter in the Mediterranean countries in particular,

E.whereas forests are greatly at risk because of the rapid climate changes since trees, which are long lived, cannot develop any adjustment strategies over a short period,

F.whereas forestry is characterized by long production cycles and limited possibilities for technical manipulation and whereas economic goals must therefore be geared towards natural characteristics,

G.whereas at present 50% of the Community's total timber requirement has to be imported and whereas it can be assumed that the need for timber as a source of energy and as a building material will continue to increase in the future,

1.Advocates a forestry policy which can manage to create a balance between the economic uses and the environmental function, the conservation of flora and fauna, soil conservation, stabilization of the water economy, etc.;

2.Calls on the Member States to reform the forestry laws in such a way that the biological and genetic diversity of forest stands are safeguarded as:

(a)only semi-natural forests with a high level of genetic diversity can cope with the dangers of rapid climate change, and

(b)naturally managed forest has economic advantages in that it reduces risks, reduces labour costs and increases product prices;

3.Calls on the Member States to transpose into national legislation without delay the existing EC directives on the reduction of air pollutants in order to counteract the continuing die-back of vegetation;

4.Calls on the operators of industrial-scale livestock units, in particular those near forests, to reduce their ammonia emissions (NH4+) as these pollutants alter soil conditions to such an extent that trees are harmed;

5.Points out that forestry can help considerably in reducing the rising levels of CO2 which are partly responsible for the greenhouse effect, as trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and the timber produced can be used as a renewable raw material or a source of energy;

6.Supports the demands of the nature conservation organizations that the game population in forests should be maintained at a level which will guarantee the natural regeneration of the forest and, in particular, the protective forest in mountain areas without the need for fencing, since the regeneration of protective forest is endangered by browsing by game;

7.Reiterates the fundamental principle of forestry that no more timber should be harvested than is regenerating;

8.Calls on the regions of the European Union to create nature protection reserves, if possible containing the whole spectrum of European forest communities;

9.Calls for the reforestation of agricultural land taken out of production under the common agricultural policy to maintain the principles and aims of naturally managed forestry and for any funding to be tied to the obligation to conserve existing forests and biotopes worthy of protection so that fast-growing single species plantations are restricted to areas where they are ecologically acceptable, i.e. where they can have no adverse effects on the surrounding areas;

10.Calls on the forestry sector to switch from vulnerable coniferous forests with limited genetic diversity which are at high risk from uprooting by wind, red rot, breakage through snow and bark beetle, to stable mixed woodland with a high genetic diversity and thus sustainable high productivity;

11.Advocates specific forest fire management and the reforestation of areas affected by fire with local species as these are genetically adapted to local conditions;

12.Stresses that in areas where the degree of degradation makes reforestation impossible the appropriate pioneer communities should be planted;

13.Recommends that planting activities by independent environmental groups in such areas should be supported;

14.Calls on the authorities responsible to ease the provisions on authorization of stands for the harvesting of seed and reproductive material so that account is taken of the need to ensure that the reproductive material is adapted to local conditions and resistant to pests and of the conservation of genetic diversity, given that the application of the current seed legislation considerably restricts the genetic potential as only a few forest areas are approved for the production of seed;

15.Calls on the governments of the Member States to impose heavier penalties on infringements of the forestry laws as the existing forestry legislation which concerns the protection and development of semi-natural and natural forests is frequently not implemented vigorously enough and infringements are not adequately prosecuted;

16.Advocates the implementation of and support for long-term basic studies in view of the limited knowledge about forest ecosystems;

17.Calls on the European Environment Agency to undertake a Community-wide forest mapping and inventory exercise, as the existing data is not compatible and the figures for the total forest area in the Community vary between 43 m and 68 m hectares;

18.Calls on schools and the media to step up publicity work on the importance of forests and their contribution to general well-being so that the urgent need for immediate measures to solve the problems of forests, i.e. problems relating to erosion, destabilisation of the water economy, die-back of vegetation, air pollution and the creation of grassland, are made clear to all sectors of the population and in particular to the appropriate decision-makers;

19.Instructs its President to forward this resolution and the report of its committee to the Council, Commission and the governments of the Member States.