Helge Evju

We are happy to note that there is extensive political support for increased forest felling. We expect such a policy to result in concrete results in the form of an improved general situation for Norwegian forest owners, says Mr Helge Evju, President of the Norwegian Forest Owners' Federation.
Recently the Norwegian Ministry for Agriculture and Food organized a meeting in Oslo concerning a national strategy for increased felling. Representatives of inter alia forest owners, the forest industry and nature conservation organizations attended.

Mr Evju emphasized that these political signals are fully in line with forest owners' objectives of creating more added value in forestry. He proposed the establishment of a working group consisting of representatives of the forestry sector and the ministries concerned. The group should examine the forestry sector's present general operational framework and point out reforms that can promote increased felling. This working group should also make a general evaluation of the consequences of the present policy, including an assessment of its effects on felling, on public entities' budgets etc.
The staring point for a strategy for increased felling is that it shall be made more attractive for forest owners. The essential point is profitability - financial results after taxes. In such a strategy central emphasis should be put on modifications of public regulations that improve the financial situation of the forestry business, either by reducing costs or by increasing revenue, says Mr Evju.