E-000229/2021
Answer given by Mr Wojciechowski
on behalf of the European Commission
(6.3.2021)
The Commission is aware of the need to enhance the protection and resilience of forests, particularly in the context of climate change, and is committed to that goal.
The Commission is currently preparing a new EU Forest Strategy. The new strategy aims at addressing, inter alia, the need to enhance the prevention of disasters and damages, increase forest resilience and secure forest health as well as the restoration of damaged forests. This may include specific actions aimed at supporting the restoration of forests affected by biotic and abiotic factors, including spruce bark beetles.
The strategy will be prepared in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and the Commission will take into account the results of an ongoing public consultation in all EU languages(1) (open until 19 April 2021).
The Commission supports Member States in carrying out national risk assessment and management planning to address their natural and man-made risks, including forest related risks such as bark beetle outbreaks, pest diseases and forest fires, under Article 6 of Decision No 1313/2013/EU(2) on a Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). In addition, the UCPM provides funding for transnational cooperation projects on innovative actions and good practices in disaster risk prevention and preparedness, including in addressing forest related risks (e.g. pest diseases and forest fires).
The Commission will also strengthen research efforts on the protection and sustainable management of forests under the Horizon Europe programme.
—
Links: 1 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12674-EU-Forest-Strategy/publicconsultation
2 OJ L 347, 20.12.2013