Monday November 21, in Brussels, at the EU Council of Ministers for Agriculture and Fishery, Member States discussed the new EU Forest Strategy, developed by the European Commission.
Edgars Kronbergs, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized at the meeting that in Latvia, forestry is a very important sector of the national economy also in terms of exports (share of forestry in total national exports is 20%). Besides, forests play a significant role in the development rural territories in Latvia and its contribution to the national economy is considerable one.
Latvia considers that upon developing the EU-level initiatives, including the Forest Strategy, it is very important to actively involve forestry experts already at the initial stage. Until now, EU played a decisive role in drawing up of Forest Strategy. The development directions of the Forest Strategy and further EK initiatives must not contradict development objectives of Member States therefore, the most suitable forest management methods and ways must be the choice of Member States, taking local conditions into account. Therefore, Latvia calls EK to start an active dialogue with Member States and involve European-level cooperation partner organization in forestry sector.
The Forest Strategy, proposed the European Commission, must also provide a sufficient assessment of the significance of economic contribution by forestry. Latvia is one of the most forest covered EU States and it is interested that forestry also in the future would ensure protection of economic and social interests as well as conservation of biological diversity.