45 Amendments of Álvaro AMARO related to 2022/2016(INI)
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU has set the binding target of reaching climate neutrality by 2050; whereas the EU is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement; whereas forests and forest-based industries will play a major and irreplaceable role in achieving these SDGs and Paris Agreement targets;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas about 60 % of the EU’s forests are owned by 16 million private forest owners, of whom a significant share are small-holders; whereas involving and motivating these owners through a comprehensive policy and legislative framework, based on the recognition of their property rights, experience as managers and specific challenges, and of the importance of the revenue generated through their activity as forest managers, will be key to achieving the strategy’s targets, including the provision of climate and other ecosystem services;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas most recent data gathered under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive indicates that only 4920 % of forests habitats have a good conservation statusare not in good conditions and need to be improved; whereas focusing solely on aggregated data might be insufficient to identify and address key information on the most urgent issues and it is therefore necessary to consult more specific indicators on trends in condition and pressures; whereas these indicators do not support an overall negative assessment of the state of the EU’s forests, but show both positive and negative trends that require nuanced responses;
Amendment 149 #
2. Recognises that in line with Sustainable Forest Management the maintenance and protectionstrengthening of healthy and resilient forests is aone of the fundamental goals of all actors in forestry and the forest-based value chain, as well a key priority for people in the EU;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned by the increasing pressure on the EU’s forests and their habitats and stresses the urgent need to increase forest and ecosystem resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned by the quickly increasing climate related pressure on the EU’s forests and their habitats and stresses the urgent need to increase forest adaptation to climate change and ecosystem resilience;
Amendment 169 #
3. Is concerned by the increasing pressure on some of the EU’s forests and their habitats and stresses the urgent need to increase forest and ecosystem resilience;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that the EU’s forests are characterised by diverse natural conditions, ownership patterns, forms of governance, challenges and opportunities, and that they have been formed by centuries of human intervention and management, intervention and management which are all the more necessary in the climate change environment we are experiencing;
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises the complexity of assessing the state of forests, as well as the uneven availability and qualgiven the diversity of data available and therefore stresses the need for continuous policy and scientific dialogue at all levels to improve data collection and if possible its harmonisation;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that the strategy must align with the work undertaken in international forums, such as FOREST EUROPE and the Food and Agriculture Organization, and should avoid duplicating work and the introduction of insufficiently mature and ill-defined concepts; further believes that, given the EU’s strong commitment to promoting the sustainable use of resources globally, the strategy should be implemented in such a way as to serve as a model of best practices with the flexibility called for by the diversity of points of departure;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that the strategy and its implementation must align with the work undertaken inat pan-European level by FOREST EUROPE and other international forums, such as FOREST EUROPE andganisations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, and should avoid duplicating work; further believes that, given the EU’s strong commitment to promoting the sustainable production and use of resources globally, the strategy should be implemented in such a way as to serve as a model of best practices;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that the strategy must align with the work undertaken in international forums, such as FOREST EUROPE and the Food and Agriculture Organization, and should avoid duplicating work; further believes that, given the EU’s strong commitment to promoting the sustainable production and use of resources globally, the strategy should be implemented in such a way as to serve as a model of best practices;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recognises the key role of forests in protecting the climate and biodiversity; uUnderlines that the multi-functional role of forests comprises multiple socioeconomic functions, such as the, climate and environmental functions, such as the conservation of biodiversity, climate change mitigation and provision of renewable raw materials, which leads to jobs and economic growth in rural areas, the provision of clean water and air, protection against natural hazards and recreational value; stresses that the implementation of the strategy must ensure a balanced provision of all services and maintain and enhance competitiveness and innovation; underlines that the successful provision of services requires sustainable active management;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that forests contribute to climate change mitigation via carbon sequestration, carbon storage and the substitution of wood and wood products for fossil fuels and derived products; notes that the strategy has a particular focus on storage in the construction sector and believes its implementation should support a broader use of different options for substitution, in line with the goals of the bioeconomy strategy without minimising the value of products with a much shorter life cycle but which are highly significant for the replacement of fossil-based products;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that forests contribute to climate change mitigation via carbon sequestration, carbon storage and the substitution of wood and wood products for fossil fuels and derivefossil resources by wood and wood products; notes that on substitution the strategy has a particular focus on storage in the construction sector and believes its implementation should support a broader use of different options for substitution, in line with the goals of the bioeconomy strategycluding short-lived wood products, in line with the goals of the EU climate policy, the EU bioeconomy strategy and the reality of forest management;
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Highlights that for wood-based products to contribute optimally to climate change mitigation and a circular economy requires that they be used in the most efficient and sustainable way; believes that the cascading principle8 iscould be a good guideline for efficient use, but must not use a static approach and therefore must be adjusted regularly to reflect innovative uses and should be decided on economic basis and on operational level; stresses that a well-functioning, un-distorted market incentivises the efficient use of wood- based resources; _________________ 8 As outlined in the Commission’s ‘Guidance on cascading use of biomass with selected good practice examples on woody biomass’.
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the importance of a reliable supply of wood, wood-based products and forest-based biomass to achieve the EU’sa sustainability goals andle bioeconomy; notes that the demand is expected to continue to grow and that the sustainable use of locally produced wood should be encouraged to meet this demand; believes that the EU’s forestry sector provide the most sustainably sourced raw materials; calls on the Commission to consider displacement effectleakage effects and substitution effects of fossil and non-renewable materials and monitor any effects on the availability of wood following the implementation of measures under the strategy;
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the importance of a reliable supply of wood, wood-based products and residual forest-based biomass to achieve the EU’s sustainability goals and notes that the demand is expected to continue to grow; believes that the EU’s forestry sector provide the most sustainably sourced raw materials; calls on the Commission to consider displacement effects and monitor any effects on the availability of wood following the implementation of measures under the strategy;
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls that 2.1 million people work in the forest-based sector, while the extended forest-based value chain supports 4 million jobs in the green economy; calls on the Commission and the Member States to assess the effects of a shift in the balance of forest functions on the overall employment situation, notably in rural areas;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Takes note of the Commission’s announcement on developing additional voluntary indicators and threshold values for sustainable forest management; underlines the need to align the Commission’s work with that of FOREST EUROPE and the Food and Agriculture Organization, as well as to engage with the Member States and forest owners and managers to ensure that indicators and value ranges are fit-for-purpose for their application at the local level under specific bio-geographic conditions; reminds that FOREST EUROPE has set a think tank on sustainable forest management as part of the ongoing four-year working program and that any EU work related to this subject should be aligned with this ongoing work since the Commission and all EU Members States are among Forest Europe signatories;
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Takes note of the Commission’s announcement on developing additional voluntary indicators and threshold values for sustainable forest management; underlines the need to align the Commission’s work with that of FOREST EUROPE and the Food and Agriculture Organization, as well as to engage with the Member States and foresters to ensure that indicators and value ranges are fit-for- purpose for their application at the local level under specific bio-geographic conditions;
Amendment 298 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Highlights that pressure on forests from natural disasters and other disturbances is being increasingly intensified by climate change and that strengthening forests’ resilience through a greater deployment of sustainable management practices and innovative technologies, such as genetic improvement or adaptive forestry, as defined in the framework of Forest Europe, is a matter of urgency; notes the role that restoration and afforestation can play in strengthening resilience and enhancing biodiversity; notes that sustainable forest management consists of a broad array of actions and adaptive practices, many of which can play a key role in climate mitigation;
Amendment 303 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Highlights that pressure on forests from natural disasters and other natural disturbances is being increasingly intensified by climate change and that strengthening forests’ resilienceadaption and resilience by active management is a matter of urgency; notes the role that restoration and afforestation can play in strengthening resilience and enhancing biodiversity; notes that sustainable forest management consists of a broad array of actions and adaptive practices, many of which can play a key role in climate mitigation;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes note of the ongoing work on guidance for ‘closer-to-nature’ forestry by the Working Group on Forests and Nature; believes that to ensure added value, guidance on this concept should incorporate results-oriented, scientifically and locally proven sustainable forest management practices to give forest owners and managers the tools to yield connections and cooperation on better integrating biodiversity protection with improved management practices;
Amendment 340 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Reiterates its call for the protection of primary and old-growth forests and stresses the need to create aset a commonly agreed definition for what constitutes old-growth forests with Members States and forest owners and managers before any designation; welcomes the ongoing work of the Working Group on Forests and Nature and underlines the need to consider a diverse set of attributes and ensure flexibility to account for specific conditions in bio- geographic regions and forest types; stresses the need to duly respect the ”prior and informed consent” principle in the process of designation for protection;
Amendment 355 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Welcomes that the Commission guidance on new protected areas acknowledges the need for certain ongoing activities, for example, ungulate management through hunting to protect a wide range of forest habitat types;
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that the European agricultural fund for rural development is the main source of support for forestry measures; further notes that between 2014 and 2020, Member States only spent 49 % of the available funds, and that the Commission has identified administrative burden, insufficient attractiveness of the premiums and a lack of advisory services as reasons for this low usage and that this should be taken into account when adopting the new CAP strategic plans; highlights the need to include concrete and attractive interventions and measures to enhance sustainable forest management and the multifunctional role of forests in EU in the CAP strategic plans;
Amendment 391 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that the European agricultural fund for rural development is the main source of support for forestry measures; further notes that between 2014 and 2020, Member States only spent 49 % of the available funds, and that the Commission has identified administrative burden, insufficient attractiveness of the premiums and a lack of advisory services as reasons for this low usage; calls on the Member States to remove administrative burdens in order to make the use of the European agricultural fund for rural development efficient;
Amendment 397 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls on the Commission to set up a new financial program Common Forestry Policy by 2027 in order to consolidate European financial support and to achieve the multifunctional purposes of forests, their protection and management;
Amendment 404 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Points out that the forestry sector operates primarily as a market-based sector; stresses that putting a stronger emphasis on other ecosystem services should not lead to an increased dependency on subsidies and encourages the Commission and Member States to further pursue the development of market-based payment for ecosystem services schemes, such as carbon farming, the promotion of biodiversity, soil protection and water management;
Amendment 407 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Points out that the forestry sector operates primarily as a market-based sector; stresses that putting a stronger emphasis on other ecosystem services should not lead to an increased dependency on subsidies and encouragesupports the Commission and Member States to further pursue the development of voluntary market-based payment for ecosystem services schemes, such as carbon farming;
Amendment 416 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Acknowledges the important contribution of existing certification schemes to the further uptake of sustainable forest management; takes note of the Commission’s announcement on developing a ‘closer-to-nature’ certification scheme; stresses that efforts should be made to improve existing certification schemes; encourages the Commission to cooperate with existing certification schemes and believes that to create added value, the certification must offer foresters a price premium for the provision of ecosystem services;
Amendment 418 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Acknowledges the important contribution of existing certification schemes to the further uptake of sustainable forest management; takes note of the Commission’s announcement on developing a voluntary ‘closer-to-nature’ certification scheme; encourages the Commission to cooperate with existing certification schemes and believes that to create added value, the voluntary certification must offer forest owners a sufficient price premium for the provision of ecosystem services;
Amendment 427 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Highlights that to unlock the full potential of forests to contribute to climate and circular economy targets, further research, innovation and development in the field of forest management, in particular adaptation to climate change and bio-based alternatives to fossil-based products are required and should be incentivised; underlines that a predictable and stable regulatory environment is a precondition to attracting investments;
Amendment 438 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that the implementation of the strategy must focus on enabling small- holders to continue delivering on the multiple forest functions and calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that support programmes, voluntary payment for ecosystem services schemes and research funding are attractive and easily accessible;
Amendment 445 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines the importance of the forestry sector as a provider of jobs in rural communities and notes with concern the steady decline in employment and the high number of accidents in the sector; calls on the Commission and the Member States to monitor the effects of measures taken under the strategy on employment and work safety and highlights the importance of making this type of employment attractive, taking measures to increase the safety of work and adequately training workers, and to support the modernisation of forestry equipment and tools;
Amendment 471 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Believes that in order to ensure the availability of high-quality data, remote sensing technologies must be combined and proof checked with data acquired by ground-based monitoring and must be interpreted in close cooperation with local experts and that EU legislation should be based in situ on national and regional forest inventories and should encompass appropriate financial means to get access to data and to contribute to their acquisition;
Amendment 480 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Takes note of the idea to introduce strategic plans for forests under the framework on forest observation, reporting and data collection; further notes that several Member States already have national strategies for forests in place and that this proposal could increase administrative burden and costs; highlights that the ultimate goal and need of preparing such plans should be clarified; stresses that such plans must remain under the entire decision making of Members States or competent regional authorities;
Amendment 482 #
26. Takes note of the idea to introduce strategic plans for forests under the framework on forest observation, reporting and data collection; further notes that several Member States already have national strategies for forests in place and emphasises that care must be taken to respect the limits of EU competence in forest matters;
Amendment 493 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Believes that due to the multi- functional contribution of forests to high- level EU goals and the different administrative levels and stakeholder groups involved, the cornerstones of the strategy’s implementation must be close cooperation and the exchange of best practices with national and regional experts, stakeholders, forest owners and managers, scientists and civil society; underlines that governance must take EU and Member State engagement in international processes into account;
Amendment 501 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Highlights the importance of the Standing Forestry Committee as athe main forum for discussing EU policies that impact the forestry sector; believes that to achieve policy alignmentcoherence, the Commission should increase dialogue between the Standing Forestry Committee and other expert groups;
Amendment 506 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Highlights the importance of the Civil Dialogue Group on Forestry and Cork to properly involve stakeholders in the development and implementation of EU forest-related policies;
Amendment 511 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Notes the extensive overlap and sometimes contradicting objectives among policies and legislation that impact forests and the forestry sector and stresses the importance of aligning themcoherence;
Amendment 519 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Expresses its concern about reportthe global problems of illegal logging and land use change and calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase their efforts to effectively implement relevant national and EU legislation;
Amendment 521 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Underlines that the achievement of the Strategy’s goals depends on measures that are adapted to local conditions and challenges; therefore, calls on the Commission and Member States to facilitate the exchange of best practices at all levels and to strengthen stakeholder dialogue, particularly including forest owners and managers, science and civil society groups;