The forest sector can become a powerful source of support for Europe on the path towards independent sustainability and economic growth, particularly if the most heavily forested countries agree on a shared vision and course of action for the future. It was with this thought that the annual Nordic Timber Industry Forum opened on 9 October, hosted this year by Latvia to mark the 25th anniversary of the Latvian Forest Industry Federation (LKF). The forum brought together forest sector representatives from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, Finland and Norway, who signed a memorandum of understanding on the goals of their cooperation over the next five years.
"The Nordic and Baltic forest sector is an essential link in Europe's resilience: we are forest superpowers, and our forests and the products derived from them help to support climate targets, create jobs and contribute to the prosperity of each individual country and of the region as a whole. Stronger cross-sectoral and cross-border cooperation can strengthen the sector's contribution further still. The memorandum of understanding signed today will help to express a united Nordic and Baltic perspective and to represent the region's interests more effectively on the world stage, to organise the exchange of knowledge and experience, and to promote secure supply chain management and crisis preparedness," says Indulis Kovisārs, President of the Latvian Forest Industry Federation.
The forum was attended by representatives of national timber industry organisations from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, Norway and Finland, whose day-to-day work covers such matters as the environment and energy, forest and climate policy, the legal aspects of the forest sector and the sector's international relations with the European Union. Together, the experts sought answers as to what the timber industry can do and what state support is needed in order to strengthen the economy, working alongside like-minded colleagues in neighbouring countries, and thereby to strengthen independence too, along with the country's and society's capacity for defence.
"Latvia's forests are our green shield – they provide work for thousands of people, strengthen regional economies and at the same time help to ensure our country's resilience to crises. Today, when security and energy independence are becoming ever more important in Europe, the forest sector has an essential role to play in this dimension as well – both as a provider of a renewable resource and as a pillar of stability in rural areas. Nordic and Baltic cooperation in the forest sector will help our region to speak with one voice and will strengthen Latvia's position at European level," emphasised Armands Krauze, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia.
If Europe wishes to move towards sustainability and reduce its use of fossil-based materials, there is no better solution than the forest sector, noted Āris Jansons, Director of the Forest Department of the Ministry of Agriculture: "The Baltic States and the Nordic countries are among the most heavily forested lands in Europe. Our climate is very well suited to growing timber and will remain so for at least the next 100 years, even under the most pessimistic forecasts. We are already adapting the timber industry and the processing industry to various climate change risks. We have the skills and the workforce, and long-standing traditions, which is no minor factor – it is far easier to advance an activity by building on existing foundations than to start from scratch. We also have sustainable management of the sector, and we can be confident that European criteria are met throughout the value chain. Alongside the tasks of environmental protection, forest regeneration and promoting exports even more rapidly, the greatest challenge is to secure a short supply chain from forest to processing, which is especially important amid today's geopolitical tensions."
In the view of business leaders, strengthening the forest sector requires both a louder expression of their shared vision in Brussels and greater engagement in discussion with the public, but above all the fostering of mutual trust between the public administration and forest owners.
"Forest owners know perfectly well how biodiversity arises and how it is affected by economic activity. Latvia should take its cue from the Nordic countries, where legislation is drawn up on the basis of mutual trust between the public administration and forest owners. Bureaucracy and strict rules without broader context often lead to us felling trees far too late, which has a negative effect on timber quality. As a result, we are producing ever more energy wood and fewer value-added products. Not allowing forest owners to make their own decisions about shaping the forest of the future risks major mistakes in the long term. The proximity of Russia obliges us to be economically strong and self-assured. Investment in the forest sector is taking place, the sector is ready to develop value-added products and to support education and science, but this requires greater trust from the state," acknowledged Uldis Biķis, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AS "Latvijas Finieris".
Forum participants noted that Baltic and Nordic forest and timber industry companies and organisations can become a powerful player in strengthening Europe's environmental and economic resilience, which is especially important at a time when geopolitical tensions have brought the question of common security and energy independence to the fore.
As part of the forum, on 10 October participants visited the "Zābaki" tree nursery, where they were shown the newly opened timber building complex, unique in the Baltics, including a seedling cold store – a facility where forest seedlings are kept at reduced temperatures to preserve their viability and quality before sowing or planting.
About the Latvian Forest Industry Federation
Since 2000, associations of Latvian forest sector companies have come together in the society "Latvijas Kokrūpniecības federācija" (Latvian Forest Industry Federation). Its aim is to promote the development of the Latvian forest sector in cooperation with interested institutions, to build a sustainable, stable economic environment for the development of forest sector companies and for raising their competitiveness, and to ensure international representation of Latvian timber industry interests as well as the development and coordination of the associations' activities. The Latvian Forest Industry Federation represents the leading forest sector non-governmental organisations in Latvia: the Latvian Forest Harvesters Union, the Latvian Independent Forest Harvesters Association, the Latvian Biomass Association, the Latvian Woodworking Entrepreneurs and Exporters Association, the association "Latvijas Koks", the Latvian Timber Producers and Traders Association, the Furniture Manufacturers Association of Latvia and the Latvian wooden construction cluster.