The Council today adopted a set of conclusions on the progress achieved in the implementation of the EU Forest Strategy and on a new strategic framework for forests. The conclusions follow the publication of a Commission report in December 2018, which reviewed the role played by the strategy in its first five years of life.

In its conclusions, the Council welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the EU Forest Strategy, which has contributed to the promotion of sustainable development through sustainable forest management, and improved the cooperation between member states, the Commission and other relevant stakeholders on EU forest-related policies.

The conclusions then set out the priorities to be followed in the next two years in order to achieve the objectives of the strategy, such as further improving coordination, communication and the sharing of best practices.

Finally the Council calls on the Commission to present an ambitious communication on stepping up the EU action against deforestation and to develop a new EU forest strategy beyond 2020.

The Council conclusions will be presented at the conference: "Our Forests, Our Future", taking place in Brussels on 25-26 April 2019.

Background

EU Forest Strategy was set up in 2013 to coordinate the European Union’s response to the challenges that are faced by EU forests and the forest sector. The strategy identifies the key principles needed to strengthen sustainable forest management and improve competitiveness and job creation, particularly in rural areas, while ensuring forest protection and delivery of ecosystem services.

In December 2018 the Commission released a mid-term review of the strategy concluding that it is achieving its aims of encouraging sustainable forest management both in the EU and globally.