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19 March 1998
Work On Forests By Dg XI Of The European CommissionSignatories
Mr J Currie Dear Mr Currie RE: DG XI'S ROLE ON FOREST ISSUES The undersigned NGOs, which work on forest issues at both national and European level, would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to your new post in DG XI of the European Commission. We have been informed that the responsibilities for forest issues in DG XI are about to be changed. Although we understand that some restructuring is necessary, we are concerned that the importance given to forest issues will decrease as a result. In the past, DG XI has played an important role on forest issues in the European Commission. DG XI's work is vital in order for the Commission as a whole to take a balanced approach. As you are aware, there are many important ongoing issues related to forests. In the immediate future, we feel that DG XI needs to: Ensure that the EC Forest Strategy takes into account environmental as well as economic and social functions of forests. The forest biodiversity objectives mentioned in the EC Biodiversity Strategy are to be developed as an integral part of the Forest Strategy. Only DG XI has the necessary expertise to carry this out. Ensure that any forest certification schemes approved by the European Commission encourage sustainable forest management, with standards no lower than those used by the Forest Stewardship Council. Continue a dialogue with NGOs for the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests, and support the European and global intersessionals on underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation which will take place this year. Participate in the Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (or 'Pan-European Process') to ensure: that Pan-European Operational Level Guidelines for Sustainable Forest Management are not used as a substitute for independent forest certification and are of a high enough level to improve forest management in Europe; that the Resolutions to be approved at Lisbon in June lead to protection of forests and their biodiversity. Continue to work with DG IB and DG VIII to ensure that the tropical forest budget line (B7-6201) only funds projects that are beneficial for the environment. Our concern is that if forest issues are split between different units within DG XI, this could easily mean that it will be difficult to keep a coherent vision on the issue as whole. We would very much appreciate a meeting with you in due course so that you can explain to us the nature of the restructuring and the effects it will have on EU policies and actions relevant to forests. Such a meeting would also give us the opportunity to inform you about the NGO position on the above mentioned issues. We look forward to working with you.
Yours sincerely,
Maurizio Ferrari
Steve Howard
Otto Miettinen
Per Larsson
Christoph Meyer
Georgina Green
Stuart Wilson
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