German forest owners strengthen their presence in Brussels

Germany's forest owners took an important step to strengthen their representation at EU level by officially opening the "Representation of German Forest Owners to the EU" earlier this year. This strategic initiative comes at a time coinciding with the new European Commission taking office.

The Brussels office is supported by several major German forestry organizations, including AGDW - Forest Owners, the Conference of Managing Directors (BLK), the Initiative Circle for Forest Associations (IK), as well as several regional forest owners' associations and the Family Forest and Land Enterprises.

Why is this representation important?

Max von Elverfeldt, President of the Family Businesses in Land and Forestry, underlines the timeliness of the moment: "We have opened the representative office at a time when important decisions are being prepared at European level. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised to cut red tape and simplify business when she took office. The European Commission is now being asked to move quickly from words to deeds. We will actively engage in Brussels to this end."

Professor Andreas Bitter, president of AGDW, explains the particularities that make this direct representation necessary: "Germany has special characteristics in the EU with its diversity of ownership forms and forest vegetation types, which we want to ensure are properly taken into account at European level. Through the representation, headed by Felix Müller, we are now present in Brussels to accompany the European legislative process more intensively and to bring our consolidated expertise to the EU institutions."

Clear objectives for the forestry sector

Carl Anton Fürst Fürst zu Waldeck und Pyrmont, AGDW Presidium member responsible for European policy and Vice President of the Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF), clarifies the strategy: "We are counting on an intensive dialog with the EU institutions to propose practical solutions for economic sustainability at an early stage. Our aim is to contribute to balanced legislation that does justice to the various aspects of sustainability."

The Representation will act in coordination with CEPF and the European Confederation of Landowners (ELO) to defend the interests of forest owners in Germany.

Karl-Joachim Baron von Brandenstein, spokesperson of the Conference of Chief Executives (BLK), highlights the current challenges: "Not least, the EU No Deforestation Supply Chain Regulation (EUDR) shows how strongly local forestry is affected by European projects. We want through our representation in Brussels to improve the accuracy of EU policies and prevent the damage caused by misguided regulations in order to preserve our forests for future generations."