The European Commission recently presented its work programme for the implementation of the EU Forest Action Plan (2007-2011), called for short “roadmap”. The key actions 1 to 18 are substantiated with working methods and instruments for the implementation within a certain time frame. CEPF consider this approach as highly important and is anxious to see the first outcomes. In order to actively contribute to the work of the European Commission and the EU Member states, CEPF provides its expertise and knowledge- a network of different CEPF working groups are at their disposal – and alongside the internal working groups on bio-energy, research & development, communication and others CEPF has established a cooperative working group.
The CEPF cooperative working group will focus on assisting CEPF in the forest owners’ contribution to the implementation of the EU Forestry Action Plan. With strong political focus on climate change and bio-energy the forest owners have a golden opportunity to promote forestry and contribute to the benefit of society in a political hot spot area. The mobilisation of additional wood resources will be a key factor and the forest owners’ cooperatives and associations in forestry have an important role to play. Representatives from the CEPF cooperative working group have already discussed these issues on several occasions with EU Commission representatives.
The aim of the working group is to strengthen the practical and economic co-operation between forest owners’ cooperatives/associations and add strength via the expertise of CEPF on a political level. The working group will act as an advisor for CEPF in economic and cooperative issues. Another part of the scope of the working group is to create a network for exchange of experiences between forest owners’ cooperatives in Europe.
The Working Group has realised that one way of reaching its goals is to collect more information about the forest owners’ cooperatives and share this information amongst them. There are differences in between the European countries with regards to the development, market share and economic strength of the cooperatives and their organisations. The organisational structure also differs from country to country. In some countries, especially the Nordic countries, the cooperatives are also heavily engaged in the forest industry.
The Cooperative Working Group shall function within CEPF, but in close cooperation with other cooperative organisations, especially COGECA, in order to further the ongoing collaboration. The working group will be open for CEPF members and the organisations working in cooperation with CEPF members.
Mr. Ivar Korsbakken This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For further information, please contact the working group’s chairman:
Mr. Ivar Korsbakken This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.