2. Forest Management and forestry methods in France Forest Management and forestry methods in France (UE)

3. Forest Management and forestry methods in France French Forest areas fast development

4. Forest Management and forestry methods in France Forest resource For the last two centuries, French forest area has developed mainly on abandoned former agricultural lands. On the contrary, deforestation has gone on near cities or where the new transport infrastructures were built. Therefore, an important part of French forests are now located on poor soils, far from the major roads and from the consumers.

5. Forest Management and forestry methods in France Forest resource If a significant part of that expansion is the result of tax reductions and financial help from French government aiming at the development of a national forest resource … … the major part of it results from natural afforestation or private investments. Therefore, more than 75% of French forests are privately owned, the average size of them being 4 ha.

6. Forest Management and forestry methods in France Industrial wood removals Softwood logsHardwood logsPulpwood

7. Forest Management and forestry methods in France Forest balance Annual total yield 100 millions m3 Annual total yield 100 millions m3 Annual total felling 58 millions m3 Annual total felling 58 millions m3 Source : IFN 2004 AGRESTE 2003

8. Forest Management and forestry methods in France Forest management issues On the biological side : –Insufficient fellings : 58 % of the growth –Forest decay through oldering stands –Increased impact of storms On the economical side –Oversupply of wood, specially hardwood –Demand for lower prices –Demand for non-commercial forest services –Decreasing revenues from forests both public and private

9. Forest Management and forestry methods in France French forests are the most diversified in Europe 126 different tree species Continental, oceanic, Mediterranean, alpine, tempered and tropical habitats Forest types diversity

10. Forest Management and forestry methods in France 27 of the 50 European forest ecosystems existing Nearly 50 % in the French ZNIEFF (national biodiversity inventory) Forest diversity

11. Forest Management and forestry methods in France The National forest program Develop employment and create value –Decrease fragmentation and improve common management –Increase fellings Reinforce wood and paper industries Increase contribution in fight against climate change –Help development of energy wood or wood as an ecomaterial

12. Forest Management and forestry methods in France The National forest program Promote a sustainable management of forests –Increase biological production of forests and anticipate climate change –Conserve ordinary as well as remarkable biodiversity –Overseas, conciliate local development and exceptional biodiversity conservation –Improve owners and foresters formation and public information Act at different levels –Integrate forest and its different uses in territorial politics

13. Forest Management and forestry methods in France Forest methods No doubt that foresters will have to...... adapt a fast changing context,... face increasing public opinion critics,... justify any euro invested in forest policy,... change their working methods.

14. Forest Management and forestry methods in France Forest methods Renewed silvicultural techniques : –Less intensive and cheaper Renewed management techniques –More public debate –More public relations –Necessity of certification  Fast growing administration costs

15. Forest Management and forestry methods in France The question is : Who is going to pay for it all ?

16. Forest Management and forestry methods in France

18. Thank you for your attention For any further information : : bruno.cinotti@agriculture.gouv.fr Tél. : +33.3.88.25.20.11