LEX-FAOC111413

The main objective of the present Swiss National Forest Programme is to guarantee the sustainable forest management and, as a precondition to this, to create favourable framework conditions for an efficient and innovative forest and wood sector. Moreover, with its vision (2030), concrete objectives (2015) and the corresponding strategic directions and measures, the Swiss National Forest Programme aims to optimize the three dimensions of sustainability and to improve the economic and social values of the forest as compared with the relatively high ecological value it already enjoys today. The successful elements of existing Swiss forest policy will continue to be implemented, others will be improved and new ones added. Thus, the changes in the environment of the forest and wood sector, the new challenges and the slow growth of the forest ecosystem will be taken into account. Chapter 4 deals with the 5 priority objectives establishing that the: 1) forest's protective function is guaranteed; 2) economic viability of the forest sector has improved; 3) biodiversity is conserved; 4) wood value-added chaine is strong; 5) forest soils, trees and drinking water are not threatened. Section 4 of this Chapter 4 outlines other objectives which are based on the principle of subsidiarity, and thus are the responsibility of the cantons, municipalities or forest owners; or, despite being the main responsibility of the Confederation, based on the current and estimated future urgency of the problem in question, they are seen as relatively less pressing. They are defined as follows: Conservation of forest area/forests as CO 2 sink; Landscape diversity; Interconnected forests/forest edges; Potentially harmful organisms; Forest and game; Recreation and leisure; Education, research and development. Chapter 6 deals with implementation procedures. It should be noted that an important factor behind the previous – in part significant – success achieved in the implementation of national forest policy is the successful interaction of all levels of the administration. The decentralized organization of the forest sector has made an important contribution to the locally adapted implementation of national objectives. This confirms the importance of the coherent organization of the forest. Therefore division of tasks and responsibilities and horizontal coordination shall be central to the implementation of the present Programme. Moreover, it is stressed that good governance is based on the following principles: clear management structures, coordination of tasks, competencies and responsibility, separation of strategic and operative tasks, transparency based on credible communication, clearly defined decision-making processes. Moreover, rules should be derived from these principles which facilitate the consolidation of cooperative forces and create the necessary conditions for conflict resolution. Chapter 6.3 addresses financial matters. The costs will be be born mainly by the Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape, (SAEFL) and the Swiss Forest Agency. The remaining costs will be carried mainly by the Cantons followed by the other federal authorities, forest owners and associations. In addition to the cost of implementing the National Forest Programme, it also incurs costs in the following areas: structural protective measures, forest surveys and educational projects, implementation of the Federal Law on Hunting and other miscellaneous areas, such as international affairs. Chapter 5.7 deals with «Cross-sectoral partnerships» suggesting that partnerships with actors outside the forest area should lead to a greater awareness and a shift of the focus to holistic approaches. This holistic vision will create an acute awareness among managers of the dimensions “forest and environment/space”, “forest and the economy” and “forest and society”. As a result, far better use can be made of the multi-layered opportunities for synergies, even in everyday contexts. Sectors that affect and influence the forest and wood sector are, inter alia, the following: agriculture, hunting, tourism, construction industry, economic regional policy, research and education, energy and transport, spatial development, environment, nature, landscape, climate, health. The text consists of 6 chapters as follows: Why Do We Need a Forest Programme ? (1); Process and Methodology (2); Main Trends and Problems (3); Vision and Objectives (4); Strategic Directions and Measures (5); Implementation (6).