35 Amendments of César LUENA related to 2019/2157(INI)
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the European Union has committed to the achievement of the Aichi Targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity, such as target 7 requiring that by 2020 areas under agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably, ensuring conservation of biodiversity, but the Union is not set to meet the targets;
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forest are vital for economic and social development, environmental protection and the systems that sustain life on Earth; whereas, however, newly planted forests cannot replace primary forests;
Amendment 45 #
Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the European Union has committed to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including goal 15 to Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss;
Amendment 56 #
Draft opinion
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas the European Parliament has declared a climate and environment emergency on 28th November 2019;
Amendment 58 #
Draft opinion
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas forests are an integral part of sustainable development;
Amendment 61 #
Draft opinion
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas according to the IPBES Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of 2019, nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history and 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction;
Amendment 81 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the decision from the Commission to introduce a new forest strategy; stresses the need for the forest strategy to be fully observe the principle of subsidiarity; emphasises, in this regard,aligned with the European Green Deal and the upcoming 2030 biodiversity strategy; recalls that under Article 191 TFEU, Union policy on the environment shall contribute, among other objectives, to the pursuit of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment, and to prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources; recalls that several pieces of EU legislation affect forests and forest management; emphasises the need for a holistic and consistent forest strategy that enhances the multifunctional role of forests and the forest-based sector in the EU and that promotes the far- reaching societal, economic and environmental benefits of forests; underlines the urgent need to prevent and manage natural disturbances; highlights that the forest strategy should not be subordinate to any other sectoral strategy in full respect of the Union's climate and environmental objectives;
Amendment 85 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the decision from the Commission to introduce a new forest strategy; stresses the need for the forest strategy to fully observe the principle of subsidiarity; emphasises, in this regard, the need for a holistic and consistent forest strategy that enhances the multifunctional role of forests and the forest-based sector in the EU and that promotes the far-reaching societal, economic and environmental benefits of forests; underlines the urgent need to highlights, however, that the approaches pursued and agreed in international and European conferences and conventions on forests and the environment – i.e. the European and international framework – must reprevsent and manage natural disturbances; highlights that the forest strategy should not be subordinate to any o undertaking by states that they will carry out the action listed in those conventions in developing their sectoral strategyown strategies, plans and laws;
Amendment 88 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Emphasises the need for a holistic and consistent forest strategy that enhances the multifunctional role and sustainability of forests and the forest- based sector in the EU and promotes the far-reaching environmental, societal, economic and cultural benefits of forests; emphasises, in that connection, that urgent action needs to be taken as a priority to prevent and manage the natural challenges and existing pressures that forests face, and to tackle deforestation;
Amendment 97 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Amendment 102 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Points out that, in its policy guidelines, the Commission emphasises that climate change, biodiversity, food security, deforestation and soil degradation are intricately linked, that we have to change the way we produce, consume and trade, and that the focus of our action in bringing about this paradigm shift must be the preservation and restoration of ecosystems; with that in mind, takes the view that the forest strategy must be made part of the European Green Deal, must take over the objectives of the deal, and, more specifically, be subject to the EU biodiversity strategy;
Amendment 108 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that according to scientific research, sustainably managed forests have a higher CO2 absorption capacity than unmanaged forests; urges, therefore, that the new forest strategy should promote sustainable forest management; recognises the positive impactPoints out that there are diverging views on the CO2 absorption capacities of managed forests, with research indicating that old-growth forests absorb considerably more CO2 than plantation forests, while also being more resilient to disturbances and accommodating higher biodiversity; considers that the new forest strategy should promote sustainable forest management on the basis of a clear and ambitious EU-level definition; calls, to this effect, on the European Commission to develop a common definition of sSustainable forest management oin European forest biodiversity; notes that forest protection and production do not act in contradiction, but can in fact be complementary to one anotherthe EU on the basis of the highest sustainability standards and with the preservation of valuable carbon sinks and the conservation and restoration of forests and their biodiversity at its core;
Amendment 116 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that according to scientific research, sustainably managed forests have a higher CO2 absorption capacity than unmanaged forests; urges, therefore, that the new forest strategy should promotguarantee sustainable forest management; recognises the positivevital impact ofthat sustainable forest management must have on European forest biodiversity; notestakes the view that forest protection and production do not act in contradiction, but can in fact beneed to complementary to one another;
Amendment 120 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Emphasises that forests cover almost half the surface area of Natura 2000 sites (i.e. 37.5 million hectares), that 23% of all Europe’s forests are located in Natura 2000 sites, and that forests are absolutely vital to Natura 20002a; regrets, nevertheless, that knowledge about the implementation of Natura 2000 in forests, and about the effects of Natura 2000 on biodiversity, forest management and other uses of land throughout the EU, is fragmented; _________________ 2aEEA, European Forest Ecosystems – State and Trends, 2016.
Amendment 128 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Points out, in that connection, that there are five major challenges when it comes to the implementation of Natura 2000 in forests: (1) the balance between conserving biodiversity and timber production; (2) integrating conservation and the requirements of local stakeholders; (3) climate change; (4) the lack of funding; and (5) conflict with other sectoral policies; with that in mind, calls on the Commission and the Member States: (1) to improve communication and transparency; (2) to place more emphasis on the science behind conservation when drawing up management strategies and in responding to climate change; (3) to involve the general public more in formulating and implementing policy; (4) to put in place an effective funding strategy; and (5) to establish an integrated European land-use and conservation policy;
Amendment 143 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises the important role forests can play in substituting fossil-based materials with bio-based products; believes that the new forest strategy should reflect the importance of the role played by European forests and the EU’s circularpotential of the EU’s circular, sustainable bio- economy in reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and that measures to this end should be included; stresses, however, that measures in the new forest strategy concerning the bio- economy and use of wood biomass should duly take into account the impacts on the conservation of forest ecosystems and on CO2 sequestration; highlights that the new forest strategy must respect resource- efficiency and the principle of cascading use;
Amendment 152 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises the important role forests can also play in substituting fossil- based materials with bio-based products; believes that the new forest strategy should reflect the importance of the role played by European forests and the EU’s circular bio- economy in reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and that measures to this end should be included;
Amendment 154 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 – point a (new)
Paragraph 3 – point a (new)
(a) Points out that in the report on progress on the implementation of the EU Forest Strategy, it is noted that despite the action taken so far, the implementation of the EU biodiversity policy remains a major challenge 1a, and that the reports on the conservation of forest habitats and species show little improvement so far; calls on the Commission to integrate in the new forest strategy as a key component the protection and restoration of forest ecosystems and biodiversity; _________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regdoc/ rep/1/2018/EN/COM-2018-811-F1-EN- MAIN-PART-1.PDF
Amendment 156 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Amendment 165 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Urges the Commission and the Member States to reinforce the use of forest management plans, including through the creation of a harmonized framework for their establishment and implementation given that the current usage of forest management plans has varied considerably among the Member States;
Amendment 169 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Calls on the Commission to include in the new EU forest strategy binding targets for the protection and restoration of forest ecosystems in line with the EU’s biodiversity strategy; considers that the forest strategy should also include adequate instruments to reach these goals;
Amendment 175 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that research and technology have come a long way since the forest strategy was introduced in 2013; stresses the importance of encouraging further research in forestry and bio-based products and believes that EU funds for research should be further directed towards this; calls on the European Commission and Member States to also fund research and continue to gather data on innovative methods of protecting and building resilience of forests such as introduction of resilient species; stresses that more research and funding would make a positive contribution to climate change mitigation, sustainable economic growth and employment, especially in rural areas;
Amendment 181 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that research and technology have come a long way since the forest strategy was introduced in 2013; stresses the importance of encouraging further research in forestry and bio-based products, as well as in conservation science, and believes that EU funds for research should be further directed towards thiese objectives; stresses that more research and funding would make a positive contribution to climate change mitigation, sustainable economic growth and employment, especially in rural areas;
Amendment 203 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Expresses its concern over the health condition and resilience of forests in many parts of Europe; highlights the need to strengthen and make full use of EU mechanisms to tackle the transboundary pressures on forests from the spread of invasive alien species, pests, and diseases. underlines that the new forest strategy should take into account that a diverse forest, especially if it reflects the composition that is natural to the region, is generally more resilient than mono-culture forest or forests that have short harvesting cycles; highlights the need to strengthen and make full use of EU mechanisms to tackle the transboundary pressures on forests; recalls that according to the European Environmental Agency the main sources 1a of pressure on forests in the EU are increased land use, expanding urban areas and climate change; emphasizes that the ecosystems are increasingly prone to natural disturbances such as storms, fires, droughts, invasive species, pests, insect infestation and diseases all amplifying vulnerability to climate change; _________________ 1aForest dynamics in Europe and their ecological consequences EEA, published 27th November 2018.
Amendment 211 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 5 – point 1 (new)
(1) Points out that air pollution has a significant impact on not only human health but also the environment; invites the European Commission to explore the impacts of air pollution on forests and forest biodiversity in its upcoming zero- pollution action plan;
Amendment 212 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point 2 (new)
Paragraph 5 – point 2 (new)
(2) Welcomes the launch of Forest Information System for Europe (FISE) on February 2020 that provides European data infrastructure in the area of forests; calls on the Member States to fully engage in sharing data and working towards a harmonized data framework on the state of forests in Europe; calls on the work of the FISE to be completed in a timely manner on all five priority themes; on forest basic data, bio-economy, nature and biodiversity, climate change mitigation and forest health and resilience;
Amendment 213 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point 3 (new)
Paragraph 5 – point 3 (new)
(3) Stresses that the EU forest strategy should have as one of its objectives achieving a substantial increase in the proportion of forests species and habitats in favourable conservation status; calls on the strategy to include ambitious measures to this effect;
Amendment 214 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point 4 (new)
Paragraph 5 – point 4 (new)
(4) Recognises that the EU forest strategy should take into consideration the high economic, social and cultural value of forests; points out that different economic activities related to forests can have varying disruptive effects on the forest ecosystems; stresses that the new EU forest strategy should encourage only that kind of economic activity that respects sustainable boundaries of forest ecosystems;
Amendment 215 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point 5 (new)
Paragraph 5 – point 5 (new)
(5) Strongly encourages the limiting of the harvesting method of clear cutting and advocates increasing the use of continuous growing; recognizes that clear cutting of a forest releases majority of the residual carbon stock from the ground of the area into the atmosphere; stresses the need to promote alternative and less invasive methods of harvesting wood;
Amendment 216 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point 6 (new)
Paragraph 5 – point 6 (new)
(6) Welcomes that, as announced in the European Green Deal, the new forest strategy will have as its key objectives effective afforestation, forest preservation and restoration; highlights, that the carbon capture potential of forest ecosystems continues to increase into the maturity of the forest ecosystem and that natural forests offer important benefits; stresses that priority should be given to the protection and restoration of existing forests, in particular old-growth forests;
Amendment 217 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point 7 (new)
Paragraph 5 – point 7 (new)
(7) Considers that despite of the EU Timber Regulation, illegal logging still takes place in some EU Member States; calls on the Commission to finalise, without delay, the fitness check of EU rules against illegal logging, foreseen to be published in 2020 according to the Commission Work Programme, in order to make the necessary changes to the legislative framework; calls on the Commission to swiftly pursue infringement procedures when breaches occur;
Amendment 218 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point 8 (new)
Paragraph 5 – point 8 (new)
(8) Stresses that the new EU forest strategy must strictly protect European primary forests against all activities, disturbances and fragmentation; notes with concern that data on primary forests remains incomplete, but according to available information only 46% of mapped primary forests in Europe have the highest status of protection, 24% are afforded a status of national parks and 11% remain unprotected 1a; calls on the Commission to propose without delay a comprehensive definition of primary forests and work to improve data collection on primary forests; _________________ 1a https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10. 1111/ddi.12778 figure 3.
Amendment 219 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point 9 (new)
Paragraph 5 – point 9 (new)
(9) Recalls, that most of the EU forests are managed 1a, including majority of old growth forests; the improvement of the proportion of old growth forests requires an EU forest strategy with a long term planning; invites the Commission to propose a long term EU forest strategy for the improvement of the proportion of old growth forest; _________________ 1a https://science.sciencemag.org/content/35 1/6273/597.full
Amendment 220 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point 10 (new)
Paragraph 5 – point 10 (new)
(10) Calls on the Commission to explore the potential of developing a legislative framework on a EU certification scheme for locally produced wood, that is based on the highest sustainability standards;
Amendment 221 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point 11 (new)
Paragraph 5 – point 11 (new)
(11) Points out that there is scope for improvement in the uptake of Rural Development funds by Member States, especially in the programs related to improving forest biodiversity; calls on the Member States to use the available support measures for the conservation of forests and biodiversity; highlights also the importance of ensuring sufficient resources for the implementation of the new EU forest strategy;