PEFC Workshop (Germany, March 2010)

Forests are biologically diverse ecosystems representing some of the richest biological areas on Earth. They offer habitats for plants, animals and micro-organisms. However, forest biodiversity is increasingly threatened as a result of issues such as deforestation, conversions, and urbanisation.

Biodiversity and forest resources' protection are a vital and fundamental part of sustainable forest management. The relevance of this topic is highlighted by the United Nations' designating 2010 the "International Year of Biodiversity."

"At PEFC we have been implementing this idea since our inception over ten years ago, namely to take action and try to safeguard the variety of life on Earth through sustainable forest management," explained Ben Gunneberg, PEFC International Secretary General. "The workshop is a part of the revision process and PEFC's endeavour to engage a broad range of stakeholders," he continued.

The following presentations provided a starting point for discussion and elaboration:

Raimund Becher, representing the Bavarian State Ministry, discussed the issues and approach to preserving and enhancing biodiversity in temperate forests;
Roderick Zagt, of Trobenbos International, explained the results of a study assessing forest certification of tropical forests;
Richard Aishton, from IUCN, highlighted practical experiences of ensuring the protection of biodiversity in Russia;
Colin Palmer, from the UK, introduced the topic of pesticide classification and their use in forestry;
Johannes Enslee, of the Nature & Biodiversity Conservation Union, spoke about forest reserves and their impact on biodiversity and bird populations; and
Sofie Tind Nielsen, of CPET, and Sheam Satkuru-Granzella, of MTC, discussed the topic of forest conversions from a public procurement point of view and developing countries' perspective.