Friday, June 14, 2024
The Austrian Timber Industry Association (ATA) signs the “Charter for self-determined forest management in Austria”. Political representatives of rural areas and the wood value chain are behind this initiative to promote sustainable and self-determined forest management.
Mag. Herbert Jöbstl, chairman of the Austrian Wood Industry Association and co-signer of the petition, explains the charter: “Sustainable forest management and diverse use of wood have been a model of success in Austria for generations. We want to continue on this path together with our partners in the wood value chain. Unfortunately, some political impulses from the European Union related to forestry are leading to restricting the use of the sustainable and renewable resource wood.”
After the election to the European Parliament, the wood industry is now expecting a change of course in the European Green Deal. “We expect a Green Deal with the wood value chain from the newly elected EU Parliament and the new EU Commission and not over our heads.
“There needs to be a clear commitment from the EU and the member states to sustainable forest management. In Europe, we have the raw material wood and the manufacturing skills for versatile and climate-friendly use within the bioeconomy. Let’s strengthen this sustainable, stable and independent value creation network together. In this way, we secure jobs, create energy-efficient living space and do something for the climate and nature,” demands Herbert Jöbstl.
Relief from bureaucracy
One of the biggest burdens on the entire forestry and timber industry is the EU Deforestation Regulation, or EUDR for short. “Of course, the timber industry welcomes the EUDR’s goal of halting global deforestation. The fundamental problem with the EUDR is that it does not bring any added value in terms of bureaucratic effort,” emphasises Mag. Maria Kiefer-Polz, Vice President of the European Organization of the Saw Industry, EOS.
Although the EUDR is to be applied from January 2025, many implementation questions remain open. The wood industry is therefore demanding a longer implementation period and that the EU Commission takes the processes in the supply chain and operational practice into account for further implementation.
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