Cantonal Forestry Administration, Una Sana Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Director, Amir Klicic, DI Forestry
03 March 2015, Bihac, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Taking into account the overall importance of forests and their multipurpose functions, it is a challenge to find a model (draft) study which would include any significant role in terms of food safety and nutrition.
Policies and programs of development of the forest sector given the large role of forests for the environment and people, the development of appropriate policy management and maintenance of forests is of utmost importance. Forests are a source of air, biodiversity, the source of resources for the production and processing of various products or raw materials.
However, it is very difficult to balance costs and benefits of forest management, and it is necessary to harmonize the use of forests for productive purposes, and yet ensure their preservation. The pressure on the exploitation of forests and forest lands comes from a poor agricultural sector, energy and industrial sectors as well as numerous government macroeconomic policies that do not take into account the need for sustainable development of the environment and forests.
In order to solve the problems mentioned, a good knowledge of cross-sectoral impacts and implementation of specific measures in the strategy of individual sectors. Overcoming the existing borders between countries, the decline of national sovereignty - a nation, and the emergence of global and transnational associations that take control function in the world economy and society are associated with globalization.
Globalisation is a general trend that is affecting all areas of economic, political, cultural and social life. Accordingly, it can be said that there is a significant impact of globalization on the forestry sector and its management. Regions that are more integrated into the globalized economy are faced with increasing pressure on the forest sector. They are forced to be as innovative and they are forced to react quickly to changes in the environment in order to remain competitive in the global market.
Furthermore, there are regions whose economic development it depends on forests and forest lands, (although this has proved risky because it puts enormous pressure on the survival of rural society).
In both cases, forests provide a great contribution to the creation of rural income, creating quality of life, and the production aspect, forests to transform biological materials into intermediate products and final products.
Indirectly, the contribution of forests is also that represent the location, or the source for numerous business activities and not related to forestry and related industries, and nowadays accelerated life, forest areas are becoming increasingly sought after as a location for life. Some of the aspects of globalization that should be taken into account and affect the achievement of regional and global competitiveness are: the impact on transportation costs, the impact on supply and demand, competition, the number and conditions of suppliers, prices, product quality, etc.
Analysing the European forest sector, it can be said that globalization had positive effects on transportation costs, reducing them and thereby increasing the export of forest products. With increased exports, increased international trade and thereby expanding the market network.
Since globalization means integration and liberalization of the market, it is logical to expect that will appear larger number of actors in the market and increase the supply. The effects of globalization on the European market was demonstrated by the creation of 10-20 major global forestry companies. Since doing business in the global market, they can restructure operations around the world in accordance with the situation and changes in the market. Furthermore, as regards the impact of globalization on the conditions and the number of vendors and it can be said that globalization has contributed to reduced dependence forestry and related industries on local suppliers. In terms of the globalized market, companies can use the resources of different suppliers and locate their production in different countries depending on where the conditions were more favorable.
With all the positive effects of globalization, it must be noted that there are some negative consequences. In fact, the very concept of globalization implies a loss of part of national sovereignty and autonomy. Due to the high pressures of competition of the country may decide to reduce the rules and standards regulating the forest sector. Before making important decisions the country needs to carefully assess the potential benefits and costs of integration into the global market trends.
There are many factors like many conceptual problems that make it difficult to simply define sustainability. Factors ranging from the problems of forest resource balancing and prioritization of goals, when it comes to owners of forest areas. Therefore, it is undeniable importance of developing quality management strategies of forest resources at regional and local levels. The main objectives related to forestry should include the promotion of sustainable development of the global forestry sector, protecting the environment and preserving the forest heritage by ensuring the role of forests and forestry in soil protection, water regulation, erosion, etc.
Goals should be: improvement of ecological, economic and socially sustainable forest management within the framework of the international market and in accordance with international obligations, improvement of instruments to monitor the forestry sector and the promotion of sustainable and equitable forest management with the intention of poverty reduction.
New trends in development have led to increasing urbanization of society and to jeopardizing the survival of agriculture and forestry. The expansion of urban areas, forests and forest lands are being torn down and destroyed. At the same time, there is awareness of the need for environmental protection and conservation of forest areas as an important factor in maintaining the health of human and plant population. Many major cities of the world are struggling with the growing problem of pollution of air, water and soil. Drinking water is a rarity today, not standard. Construction of residential areas is often unplanned and thus destroying the natural surface. The urbanization process has a major impact on the natural resource base (including forest resources used for production of various products of wood). The future of the agricultural and forestry sector is closely tied to reflect balanced policy of development of rural areas.
The main objective of the global rural development policy is the protection of the rural population, economy, ecology and environment of the many threats arising from the process of urbanization. Great emphasis should be placed on modifying agricultural policies and the creation of such rural development policy that would provide incentives for the production of (socially and environmentally beneficial activities) forestry sector. Some of these policies include measures to encourage forest protection, promotion of production and recreation services, natural-oriented forest management. Global rural development policy, in accordance with the common agricultural policy, aims to achieve the sustainable development of rural areas, while respecting the three basic principles:
- 1) Multifunctionality of agricultural activity - which includes encouraging the provision of various agricultural services;
- 2) Multi-sectoral and integrated approach to the rural economy with a view to diversify activities, create new sources of income and employment and protect the rural heritage;
- 3) Encouraging and subsidiarity creating their own rural development programs of countries.
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If sustainable development is defined as maintaining a delicate balance between the human need to improve living standards and achieving betterment on the one hand and the preservation of natural resources and ecosystems on which we depend and ourselves, but also our future generations, on the other hand, then it can be achieved when establishment of a political compromise between all the components of socio-economic development. This includes the economic efficiency of production and market mechanisms are functioning, care for consumers and ethical behavior that is consistent with the norms and values of society and that respects cultural diversity, the need to preserve the environment, landscape and biodiversity and use of natural resources and energy without much stress for the environment, all in accordance with FSN perspective.
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I think that the absence of a separate unique global forest policy, why are lost millions of acres of forest each year, and the global carbon dioxide emissions increased since 1990 by 50%. Given the absence of a common policy related to forests all activities in this area are undertaken within the framework of various other policies (such as: Common Agricultural Policy, regional policy and development policy).
Seeking to contribute to the proposal about the development of effective strategies for sustainable landscaping forests and contribution of forests to FSN, it is necessary to:
· Globally aspire towards policies that would be based on the Millennium Development Goals;
· To harmonize the social and environmental benefits of forest planning with the fact that profit depends mostly on the sale of wood. It becomes quite difficult to simultaneously coordinate the economic, social and environmental objectives in an open and global market;
· Strengthen the relationship between the various global to the European policies that affect the forestry and forest industry and develop coordination between them;
· Identify the role of forestry in sustainable development, eg. In terms of climate change and biodiversity, and support the execution of international obligations and their role in the FSN.
In the end, given that your proposal, generally cover all important aspects and functions of forests and their importance for FSN think you should give more attention to education and building a more global awareness of the importance and value of forests and the environment as well as the mutual relationship with FSN.
Cantonal Forestry AdministrationAmir Klicic