Sustainable Forestry Key to New EU
10/7/99
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Title: Sustainable Forestry Key to New EU
Source: Environment News Service
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: October 7, 1999
BRUSSELS, Belgium, October 7, 1999 (ENS) - Forest-based industries
have increased in scope and strength, the new European Commissioner
for the Enterprise and Information Society, Erkki Liikanen, has said.
Part of the newly-confirmed European Commission, Liikanen said
Tuesday these industries will continue to contribute to the
objectives of regionally-balanced and sustainable development in the
European Union (EU).
The forest-based and related industries are present throughout the EU
Member States in high population density areas, maintaining economic
activity, employment, and infrastructure.
Sustainable development has become a key priority for the forest-
based and related industries starting from sustainable forest
management. This means improved recovery at all production and
consumption levels -- heat recovery from the barks of the trees and
all the other processes inherent in recovery and recycling
activities, Liikanen emphasized.
Production efficiency has improved considerably in the forest-based
and related industries during the last decades. This has resulted in
decreased use of raw materials and reduced emissions. However,
continuous efforts are still needed, Liikanen said.
These industries operate in an environment of high input and
operating costs compared with the competitors in other regions of the
world. The improved productivity and quality levels obtained through
investments in higher production capacities and a wave of mergers
have enabled producers to offset their cost handicap, the
commissioner analyzed.
Challenges facing forest industries include globalization,
enlargement of the EU, environment and energy, technology and human
resources, the regulatory framework, and the industry's public image.
It is important to ensure a level playing field within the EU and
internationally in order to avoid unfair competition in any form,
Liikanen said.
The European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union,
proposes to set up a forum of all the stakeholders in forest-based
and related industries and a issue a broad list of actions for the
years 2000 - 2003.