Aware of the link between deforestation and agricultural expansion, the EU is stepping up action against deforestation and forest degradation, determined to be not only the part of the problem but part of the solution.
As part of this effort, the European Commission has launched a public consultation and is inviting all individuals and organisations with an interest in the issue to respond.
The EU’s initiative is a response to the persistence of the issue of global deforestation and the increasing awareness of the link between deforestation and agricultural expansion.
The EU, as a major importer of agricultural commodities, is part of the problem but can also be part of the solution, it said.
The overall objective is to step up EU action against tropical deforestation and forest degradation by developing a more coherent and comprehensive approach to the problem.
The initiative seeks to increase the coherence of existing EU policies and tools, taking full advantage of synergies across policy areas and better mainstreaming deforestation considerations throughout relevant EU policies.
It also aims to help better implement and communicate actions already undertaken by the EU and its Member States, support existing commitments by governments and the private sector, promote collaboration and the exchange of good practices, and raise awareness.
The consultation continues until February 25.
The initiative comes as Cyprus marks the annual tree week with Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis assuring the forest protection was a top priority.
