The new EU Strategy for Forestry (СЕСГ) 2014–2020, which is a response to the current challenges facing forests and forest sector, was presented by the European Commission 20 September.

Forests, covering 40 % от територията на ЕС, са ключов ресурс за подобряване на качеството на живот и създаване на работни места, особено в селските райони, protection of ecosystems and environmental benefits for everyone – highlighted in the strategy document.

On the occasion of the adoption of the Strategy, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dacian Ciolos said: “Adequately managed, горите са ключови екосистеми и източник на богатство и работни места в селските райони. Устойчивото управление на горите, осигуряващо тяхното запазване, is a pillar of rural development and this is one of the principles of the new strategy for the forests of Europe”.

Following the new approach, strategy “out of the woods”, като разглежда проблематични аспекти на “веригата на стойността” (т. н. chain of value – т. е. начина, по който горските ресурси се използват за генериране на стоки и услуги), което оказва силно влияние върху управлението на горите. Стратегията подчертава, че горите са важни не само за развитието на селските райони, но и за околната среда и биоразнообразието, за промишлеността, основана на горския сектор, за биоенергията, както и в борбата срещу изменението на климата. Като се подчертава необходимостта от холистичен подход, states and the relationship between the forest sector policy and other policies, related to forests. The other related EU policies, should be fully taken into account in the formulation and implementation of national forest policies. The strategy emphasizes the need to create a system of forest information in Europe and to keep up to date harmonized pan-European forest information.

Досегашната Стратегия на ЕС за горите датира от 1998 year. Based on the cooperation between the EU and the Member States (subsidiarity and shared responsibility), It established a framework for forest-related actions in support of sustainable management. Now need a new framework, to meet the growing interest in forests and they provide benefits and services, and the major social and political changes, which this important natural resource is affected in recent 15 years.

New Strategy, presented to the European Parliament and of the Council, was developed by the Commission over the past two years in close cooperation with Member States and stakeholders. The strategy brings together different aspects of several complementary policy areas, including rural development, Entrepreneurship, environmental protection, биоенергията, изменението на климата, научните изследвания и развитие. Комисията издаде и подробно описание на действията, that could be taken to overcome the current challenges facing the forest sector in Europe.

Допълнителна информация, а също и текста на новата Стратегия на ЕС за горите (СЕСГ) 2014–2020, and Bulgarian, You can find here

In the days of the opening of the new session of Parliament – on 11 and 12 September, Strasbourg - France, forum took place at the Federation of European forest communities (FECOF) with the participation of all members of the Federation.

Moment of the work program of the Forum

Bulgarian Association "Municipal forests" was represented by its Executive Director – inzh.Tihomir Tomanov, and Mr. Georgi Simeonov – Director in Stara Zagora, a member of the Association.

Among the speakers were members of the Parliament of Europe , Ms Corinne Lepage - former Minister of Ecology of France in the government of Prime Minister Alain Juppe, и г-н Гастон Франко – MEP from France.

Actively participate in the forum and Mrs. Loviza Lilihuk - representative of the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural developement of the European Commission. In her presentation , Ms Lilihuk informed about the basics of preparing the legal basis of the common agricultural policy for the new programming period 2014-2020 Mr., associated with the pan-European forest policy documents.

Parliament's position on the problems in forest management – owned by the municipalities within the European Union, was presented by Ms. Lepage and Mr. Gaston.

Forum participants agreed on the conclusion, that its successful implementation was the start of an active dialogue between forest communities in the European Union and its institutions to establish a common (single) strategy for forest development in the foreseeable future.

Expected in the near future FEGO to publish official statement on its website.

I dare not comment on the results of the forum outside formal conclusion of the meeting. In our judgment, the forum has failed to make an emphatic way its main purpose - to attract the attention of MEPs to the problems of European Municipalities, especially in the management of this part of the forest areas, which is included in the areas of the European ecological network Natura 2000. Why:

1. The invitation to be responded to only two MEPs.
2. FAO - Rome, does not send its representative, which is scheduled to deliver a presentation on the topic.
3. Turns, although proven losses, municipalities which suffer from the limitations of Natura 2000 in forest management in the amount of 40 per hectare per year, The European Commission is not prepared to accept local – forest owners, be beneficiaries of the measures Natura 2000.
4. There has been significant progress in relation to the adoption of the Pan-European Forest.

That conclusion is, that the objectives, set by the Federation of European forest communities (FECOF), will require significant effort and many times, probably years, given the awkwardness, characteristic of the style of work of the European institutions.

Possible implications for us as a society, And for Bulgaria in the field of forestry, may be:

– Bulgaria can accelerate and complete the process for the adoption of the National Strategy for the Development of the Forestry Sector 2013 – 2020, despite a slowdown of Pan;

– Association "Municipal Forests" to continue its active participation in the legislation of the country in the forestry sector;

– In developing the RDP for the period 2014-2020 g. to use all the possibilities, allow the relevant regulations of the European Commission to extend the range of measures, which municipalities are beneficiaries.

Ing. Tihomir Tomanov – Executive Director of the Association "Municipal Forests"

CEO of AOG inzh.Tihomir Tomanov will take part in the forum of the European Federation of forest communities in Stasburg of 11-12 September under the title "Municipal forests of Europe".

The purpose of this event at the beginning of the autumn session of Parliament, which traditionally opens in Strasbourg, is to attract the attention of the European public and especially members of the Parliament of the European Union to solve the current problems of the municipalities - forest owners and forest areas, in their management and related activities, carried out for the formation and maintenance of sustainable forest ecosystems, what is the expectation of the people of Europe.

It will be aimed at creating a more favorable environment for European municipalities in the new program for rural park area for the period 2014 - 2020 year.

Ing. Tomanov will be accompanied by Mr. Georgi Simeonov – Director of "Sustainable Development and European Integration" in Stara Zagora.