Photo: BMLFUW
The Austrian Forest Programme
From the Austrian Forest Dialogue the Austrian Forest Programme has developed.In Austria, ensuring multifunctional forest management on a long-term basis is a matter of top priority in the context of forest, environmental and social politics.
Under the headline “Forests concern us all!” the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management thus initiated the Austrian Forest Dialogue as early as in April 2003.The Forest Dialogue aims at the foresighted settling of clashing interests and the improved coordination of forest-related activities. Its objective is to secure and permanently improve the sustainable management, conservation and development of Austrian forests.
As the outcome of the Austrian Forest Dialogue, and with the inclusion of over 80 organisations and institutions, the first Austrian Forest Programme was adopted. It can be regarded as a milestone of Austrian forest policy.
The seven thematic areas of the AustrianForest Programme are:
1. Contribution of Austrian forests to climate protection
2. Health and vitality of Austrian forests
3. Productivity and economic aspects of Austrian forests
4. Biodiversity in Austrian forests
5. Protective functions of Austrian forests
6. Social and economic aspects of Austrian forests
7. Austria's international responsibility for sustainable forest management
The Austrian Forest Programme is implemented step by step applying a continuously updated Work Programme. The Work Programme comprises concrete individual measures as well as so-called “best practice” measures. Further, also indicators with their respective actual and target values form part of the Work Programme.
As of the year 2006 a permanent body, the “Forest Forum”, was established, which meets at least once or twice every year. The tasks of the Forest Forum comprise the discussion of current forest-political developments as well as the continuing harmonisation of interests in forest-relevant topics. The Forest Forum provides for the controlled implementation and development of the Work Programme of the Austrian Forest Dialogue. It is responsible for evaluating the measures taken as well as for addressing new issues of importance.
All details concerning the Work Programme as well as current information on the Austrian Forest Programme are available at the homepage www.walddialog.at.
15.02.2008,