Modern Zweeds bosbeheer: slim, efficiënt en weloverwogen (en)

Between 30 September and 1 October, the EU Forest Directors-General will be meeting just outside of Göteborg to discuss the issue of forestry and climate. One of the participants will be Lars Olson who normally works as head of the Agriculture and Forestry Division at the Ministry of Agriculture.

What issues will you be discussing during the meeting?

“The meeting is divided into four blocks. First of all, an international analysis will be presented, which will describe the role of forestry in what is happening globally, in climate change and the financial crisis. We will then look at the role of forestry in the production of biomass and how new rules on sustainable production can affect the sector; we will also look at what characterises sustainable forestry. We will then hear from representatives of industry, forest farmers and government agencies who will give their view of future challenges for the sector. Finally, there will be a roundtable discussion on these issues, during which we will also discuss the set-up of the informal Forestry Directors-General meetings, how they can be further improved in the future and what activities could be carried out between meetings.”

What is your role during the meeting of Forestry Directors-General?

“The meeting is being chaired and organised by the Swedish Forest Agency, but this has happened in dialogue with the Ministry of Agriculture. Eskil will open the meeting and it will then be chaired by the Swedish Forest Agency. My role will be to take part in the discussion together with my EU colleagues.”

It is not every day that the Forestry Directors-General meet. How well do they actually know each other?

“Even though the organisation of forestry issues varies a lot between different Member States and there is no common forestry policy in the EU, there is an active network with a great deal of contact, not least because of all the international processes that take place that are associated with forestry. This means that most of them know each other fairly well. However, there is plenty of scope to better understand each other’s problems and challenges.”

What are your expectations?

“I’m hoping for a meeting where Sweden has the opportunity to show and discuss the challenges facing the forestry sector and where we can use informal discussions and talks to more easily find solutions in the coming formal negotiations. I also hope that we will have lovely autumn weather and that everyone will go home with positive memories of Sweden.”

During these two days the directors-general will be going on an excursion to see a modern Swedish forest farm. What is modern Swedish forestry in your eyes?

“For me, modern forestry is about using all the knowledge and competence we have here in Sweden in a smart and efficient way. Acting competitively, we should be able to reach a high level of growth in forestry and use as large parts of growing forests as possible. At the same time, we must give consideration to all the other values that Swedish forestry has to offer.”

How will you continue this work at the Ministry when the meeting is over?

“The Swedish Forest Agency will put together a report from the meeting, and we hope that the discussions that take place will lead to the issues that are relevant to forestry being moved forward in a direction that is good for Sweden and the EU.”