Declaration from Governing Council to EU

Wednesday, October 29 , 2003 7183

Forests and forestry shall be included in the Draft Constitution of EURationale

The forestry sector needs to be incorporated at the European level as an economic sector that requires a holistic policy formulation to develop its full potential. Forestry issues are often dealt with in a fragmented way and policy formulation is single-issue driven. Both the sustainability and the economic viability of the forestry sector are increasingly at risk through antagonistic policies. At this time forests and forestry have no legal basis within the present Constitution of the European Union.

Proposal

The Union of European Foresters (UEF) Governing Council Meeting in Larnaka on the 24^th of October 2003 discussed the above rationale and agreed that forests and forestry shall be included in the Draft Constitution (CONV 724/03) of the European Union under the Article I-16: Areas for supporting, coordinating or complementary action under the appropriate area, viz area 2.

Larnaka 24^th of October 2003.