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Informing NGOs, MEPs, |
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Forestry Strategy consultation completed Following unusually extensive
stakeholder consultation, the European Commission has now produced its
synthesis report on the implementation of the EU Forestry Strategy (see FW
nos. 85, 86, 88, 89).¹ Based on input from 58 contributors,² the
report largely identifies the areas of agreement and disagreement between
different stakeholder groups. Areas of agreement include the need for
improved consistency between different national programmes,
and the need for improved co-ordination across different Directorates-General.
Disagreements include whether the European Community should play a pro-active
role in forest certification, and whether it should actively support the UNFF
and/or a global forest convention.
However, on one of the biggest issues for the coming years –
climate change – the report is relatively quiet, merely stating the
need for balance between mitigation (emission reduction) and adaptation (the
adaptation of forests to a changed climate), while only hinting at the
problems and possibilities of forests as a source of biomass. The report also
seems reticent on the need for implementing national forest programmes which include clear, achievable targets on
cross-sectoral issues such as biodiversity. These
oversights aside, it is anticipated that this report will form the basis of a
draft Communication, including a vision for European forests and recommending
actions to be taken. FERN hopes that this Communication will take account of
the full social, ecological and economic functions of EU forests, and will
detail how best to use the existing instruments, including Natura 2000, Forest Focus, the Rural
Development Regulation and the EU structural funds, for the conservation and
improved management of EU forests. 1
The report is available at: http://europa.eu.int/yourvoice/ and at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/consultations/forestry/index_en.htm 2
FERN’s
contribution available at: www.fern.org |
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Corner House forces U-turn on ECGD In a crucial victory for the European
Campaign to Reform Export Credit Agencies (ECAs),
the Corner House,¹ a key NGO in the Campaign, has
forced the UK government to backtrack on its attempt to water down its
anti-bribery regulations (see FW no. 91).
Just as the NGO’s High Court case against the
The Corner House had led the legal challenge against trade secretary,
Patricia Hewitt, claiming that she acted unlawfully in relaxing anti-bribery
rules after hearing industry groups’ concerns, while failing to consult
with other stakeholders. The case argued that the intervention of big
business, with the warning that the ECGD’s
existing anti-bribery rules would “endanger
a number of valuable contracts”,² had led to a significant
weakening of the procedures.
The settlement proposed by the 1
For more information see: www.thecornerhouse.org.uk 2
Financial Times
3
Financial Times
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Ten
years of FERN 2005 is not just another new year; it is the year that marks FERN’s 10th anniversary. We would like to wish the best to all our past, present and future members and collaborators, and look forward to the next 10 years. |
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Evaluation
a mixed bag for forests Late 2004 saw the Commission make
public its evaluation¹ of the Regulations
underpinning the allocation of EC aid to environment and forest activities in
developing countries.² Of the €342
million earmarked under these Regulations for 2000-2006 (including €249
million for forests) the evaluation covers the €116 million spent in
2000-2002.
In relation to the quality of projects funded the evaluation is
positive, noting an improvement in forest issues from the previous evaluation
in 1998.³ It is critical, however, of
inefficient administrative pro-cedures and the
Commission’s failure to learn from past experience.
Also highlighted is the failure of both partner governments and the EC
to incorporate forest-related issues into Country and Regional Strategy
Papers (CSPs and RSPs)
– where recipient governments set their development priorities, and
through which they should obtain the bulk of their development funds. Yet at
the same time, it recommends also opening up these separate funds to those
governments, thereby limiting funds available for civil society groups, who
have little access to funding via CSPs.
Finally, the evaluation recommends the continuation of the 1 Available
at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/evaluation/program/sectorrep.htm 2 Regulations
(EC) 2493/2000 and 2494/2000 3 Available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/evaluation/program/sectorrep.htm |
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Legislation
to outlaw illegal timber? As the European Council prepares to
adopt a Regulation controlling illegal timber imports from EU partner
countries (see FW no. 91), NGOs around the world are urging the Commission to
go a step further. In a statement to the Dutch Presidency on 21 December
2004, 150 NGOs called for the adoption of new legislation to outlaw all
imports of illegally sourced timber and forest products into the EU.
Accompanying the statement, FERN, Greenpeace and WWF presented model
legislation1 – developed by Dutch law firm van den Biesen
– which recognises illegal logging and its
related trade as an environmental crime, and which allows for sanctions where
the abuse of documents is involved in certifying a product’s legality.
Meanwhile, in relation the to the Council’s Regulation itself,
NGOs are adamant that, to be both effective and legitimate, any partner-ship
agreements developed under it must:
• allow broad engagement with civil society;
• be favourable towards community
forestry;
• be accountable and transparent on the management of natural
resources;
• involve proper assessment of partnership country’s
national forest and related laws.
The Commission has responded with a press release notifying that
€20 of the €60 million to be spent under the last call for
proposals of the Tropical Forest Budgetline will go
to projects addressing illegal logging. A list of projects funded will be
available once the relevant contracts have been signed. 1
More information and the model legislation are avail-able at:
www.fern.org |
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EU
Guide to NGO funding The Euro Citizen Action Service has
launched the 10th edition of its 'Guide to EU funding: accessing |
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NEWS
IN BRIEF Mangroves
mitigate disaster
Several regions affected by December’s tsunami have reported that
mangrove forests may have helped to mitigate the impact of strong waves and
gushing sea water. Such regions include the Indian state of Tamil Nadu (Science and Development Network, 30 Dec), Illegal
logging
Following the documentation of its illegal and corrupt practices¹
Danzer is facing a formal investigation by the
Swiss Attorney and could become the first timber company to be investigated
under the OECD Convention on Bribery. Meanwhile, in "Taking a Cut"²
Global Witness shines the light on 1
Report available at: www.greenpeace.org 2
Available at: http://www.globalwitness.org/ |
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17-19
January: Closed meeting. FAO: Harmonisation
of forest definitions. 20 January: Closed meeting.
FAO: Guidelines for plantations management. 21 January: European paper
strategy meeting. 25-28
January:
Country-led initiative on the future of the international arrangement on
forests for UNFF, 26-30
January 2005:
World Social Forum, 7-15 March: European tour by Malaysian NGOs |
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EU Forest Watch is published by FERN,
the forest campaign group focusing on EU policy. |
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PHOTO:
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