EuroNatur statement: EU Biodiversity strategy and the European natural forest heritage

At the EU International Conference on Forests for Biodiversity and Climate on February 4-5, 2020, EU Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans found clear words on forest protection.
Nevertheless, there are strong concerns that Europe’s forests will continue to be viewed primarily as suppliers of wood and for growing demand for “bioenergy” could even lead to more loss of natural forests.

In response to the conference, EuroNatur Foundation calls on the European Commission to intensify efforts to protect Europe’s primary and natural forests.

These forests are not only an important habitat for numerous threatened animal and plant species, they also play an important role in climate protection because they store huge amnounts of carbon.

In the European Union, there still exist large areas of primary ad old growth forest, in particular in Romania. However, the massive volument of logging in the Carpathians destroys this natural heritage and even does not stop at protected areas (including EU Natura 2000 sites).

Unprotected primary forest in Arpasul valley in Romania’s Fagaras Mountains Natura 2000 site