Prudent development - a shared responsibility
10 Forestry
Forests and woodland areas should be exploited and managed in such a way as to allow them to play a part in fulfilling Denmark's natural and environmental, financial and social needs, now and in the future. We should bolster the role of forests as one of society's welfare assets. Forests should provide opportunities for outdoor activities, protect biodiversity and contribute to a varying landscape. Forests should produce wood products and help protect the environment - through their groundwater protection and of CO2 sequestration. Such considerations should figure in the ongoing doubling of forested areas in Denmark. In addition, we should increase the areas of natural forest and the use of particular, traditional management systems.
Previously, forests were primarily meant to produce wood and serve as shelter. Today, they play multiple roles for our welfare - especially in terms of recreative options. The Danish forestpolicy statement sets out forest policy with a twelvepoint action plan that among others targets includes the doubling of forested area. Focus is on nature considerations and diversification as part of the concept of sustainable forestry which since the Rio conference has become the cornerstone of daytoday forestry - both internationally and nationally and on the individual property.
Ensuring an increase in forestry based on nature principles, which to a great extent underpins the versatile role of the forests as a national welfare resource, presents a central challenge. One result will be healthier and more resilient forests capable of resisting future disasters like the forests damaged by storm seen during the 1999 hurricane. Future climate change may give rise to more frequent storms, periods of drought and mild winters - conditions that forests must be able to survive.
The long time perspectives of forestry call for persistence and continuity in forest management. They also require frameworks able to finance the diversified forests. These are very difficult goals to live up to as coniferous tree production is dominant in Denmark, and large volumes of coniferous trees from our neighbouring countries put pressure on prices.
Objectives and activities 2001-2006
The policy for new and old forests will be specified in a new national forest programme expected to be finalised in 2002. The programme will constitute an overall plan, presenting concrete objectives and means while also laying down a schedule for implementation. The programme will be based on technical analyses and close dialogue with various stakeholders. The work will be carefully coordinated with the national action plan for biodiversity. The basic elements of the forest policy are outlined below.
Sustainable forestry A new set of guidelines for sustainable forestry at the
property level serves as a topical example of how Denmark is operationalising the concept
of sustainability. The Forest and Nature Agency and eighteen stakeholder associations have
jointly established thirteen voluntary operational principles. The principle aim is a
forestry supporting nature's ecosystems, while also making allowances for and combining a
range of social, ecological and economic considerations. |
The forest area will be doubled, so that forest landscapes cover 20-25 per cent
of our area in the course of a tree generation (80-100 years). the new forested areas
should meet our needs for diversified forests. Urban forests give more opportunities for
outdoor recreation, and forests protect water catchment areas and lend character to the
landscape. New forests can create the framework for biodiversity and ensure cohesion
between existing nature and forest areas in open country. One special objective calls for
the replanting of 15,000 hectares of healthy, resilient forests to replace the fallen
trees that occurred in 1999. The forest programme is to ensure that all Denmark's targets
are met. The subsidies under the "act on windfall", are coupled with a new
insurance scheme against loss incurred in future wind throws represent major strides
towards recreating our forests.
The Government will promote natural and environmentfriendly forestry and increase the areas with natural forest, nature forests and traditional management systems. This entails more deciduous trees and more mixed stands. Clear-cutting - the simultaneous felling of all trees in an area - will only be used to a small extent. For environmental reasons, the use of pesticides will be phasedout in state forests and be limited in private forests through incentives and information. At the same time, the additional potential of forests for protecting the environment should be promoted and exploited. We should primarily focus on the ability of forests in protecting groundwater and the ability of trees to sequent CO2 as part of fulfilling our commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
The population should be involved to a greater extent in decisions concerning forests. This could be accomplished through public debate, for instance, or as it is practised in the state forests committees. The importance of forests to outdoor recreation should be underlined. The tools could include providing improved information and guidance to outdoor recreational options and ensuring public access to all forests.
The forestry sector must enhance its earning capacity. High-quality forestry and wood products must constantly be developed, with seed and plant material suited for the locations The Government will support a stable, market-oriented basis for supplying wood chips for power production. Weight should be attached to providing information about the considerations allowed for nature and the environment in Danish forestry production. Increased use of wood and wood products may reduce the consumption of more hazardous raw materials and contribute to financing the forest as a welfare benefit.
Targeted research and an improved data situation are important ancillary tools for forest-related activities. Forest research should improve our knowledge of sustainable forestry methods. The health of forests is already being monitored, but Denmark needs a broader national forest monitoring programme that will also yield data on the natural content, CO2 sequestration and other environmental and social services offered by forests.
Denmark will continue its efforts aimed at steadily more binding international cooperation in the field of forests and endeavour to influence international agreements and conventions. Denmark must lead the way in following up on international agreements, promote sustainable forestry and make experience gained available to others. Danish environment and development assistance should assist recipient countries in implementing international conventions, agreements and recommendations on nature and forests. Furthermore, we must make sure that in our use of imported wood, we favour the products that are cut legally and come from sustainable managed forests.