6 Amendments of Anthea McINTYRE related to 2014/2223(INI)
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission communication on a new EU forest strategy and the accompanying working documents, and stresses that an EU forest strategy must focus on better coordination, because the increasing number of European policy initiatives in areas such as economic and employment policy, energy supply, environmental and climate policy, call for a greater contribution from the forestry sector; is of the view that the different policy perspectives of the directorates-general in the Commission can result in conflict and a lack of progress; therefore calls on DG Environment, DG Climate Action, DG Agri, DG Energy and DG Research and Innovation to work together strategically to ensure coherence in any forestry- related work;
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls on the Member States to develop initiatives to support knowledge and technology transfer and to fully utilise existing EU programmes to support research and innovation in forestry and the forest-based sector; notes that there are significant gaps in scientific and technological research relating to the adaptation of forestry to climate change including into the impact of increasing pests and diseases which pose a serious threat to Europe's forests and forest-based sectors; welcomes Europe's FACE (Free-Air- Carbon dioxide) forest experiments, including the UK's Birmingham Institute for Forest Research (BIFoR), which aim to transform our understanding of climate and environmental change on Europe's trees and wildlife;
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13 b. Stresses that research and innovation are crucial for the long-term competitiveness and economic viability of the forestry sector in Europe, but notes that the research currently taking place is too fragmented and that not enough research is commercialised; therefore emphasises the benefits of strengthening and extending existing partnerships between government, industry and research organisations as a way of improving the translation of research into practice and driving economic growth from Europe's forest- based sectors;
Amendment 272 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Takes the view that extending the forest-related knowledge basis is of crucial importance to research and that reliable information is essential for the implementation of the forest strategy; notes in this connection that national forest inventories represent a comprehensive monitoring tool for assessing forestry stocks and take into account regional considerations while responding to demands for less red tape and lower costs; welcomes in particular the Commission’s efforts to establish a European forest information system and initiatives to improve the comparability of new and existing data; recommends, in particular, the need for more long-term data-sets to help the understanding of trends in forestry and its adaptation to climate change; calls on the Commission to communicate to foresters and woodland owners in a practical, helpful and useful way the data and knowledge gained from the forest information system to better inform their decision making;
Amendment 315 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Supports the EU Timber Regulation in combatting illegal logging and the placement of illegal timber on the European market from third country imports, but is concerned that this regulation is impacting disproportionately on the EU's forest sector; stresses that this regulation should be proportional and should recognise the very low-levels of illegal logging taking place in the EU; welcomes the upcoming review of the Regulation and calls on the Commission to look at ways of reducing unnecessary costs and reporting requirements for Europe's woodland owners and foresters;
Amendment 318 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20 b. Underlines the importance of healthy forest ecosystems in offering habitats for animals and plants, but notes with concern the unintended consequences of the EU Habitats Directive on sustainable forest management; recognises that this Directive is well- meaning but can act as a barrier to bringing neglected woodland back into use; calls on the Commission to review this Directive with the objective of making it proportionate to the risk of harm to the resource;