Regulation No. 484 of the Ministry of Environment regarding policy of the Lithuanian forestry and its implementation strategy

160 Lithuania Forest POliryStrategy 2002 APPROVED by the MinisterofEnvironment ofthe Republic ofLithuania Order ofSeptember17, 2002" No. 484 POLICY OF THE LITHUANIAN FORESTRY AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY I. GENERALPROVISIONS Forest represent oneof the majorLithuanian natural resources serving for the welfareO$t stateand its citizens, preserving the stabilityof the landscape andenvironment quality. Despitethe t ownership fOMn,fore&t, primarily, is thenationalpropertythat shall be preserved for the future gene tions at the samemeeting the ecological, economic and socialneeds of the society. Beinga source of supplywith amberand omerforest products, forest IS me essential factorOfthe ecological Dalance prqviding living places for numerous arUmaI and plant spooies. stopping the soil erosIon, absorbingthe calton dioxideand purifying theair, protecting the groundand the surface waters, provldlng opportunitiesfor recreation of the urbanandruralpeople. With the purpose of ensuringa sustainable forestrydevelopment, satisfying of the forest~,",lated needsof various groups ofthe society, andensuringpreservation of forests for furthergeneratlons,lacknOWledging a longforestgrowth duration, andtaking into regard thedifferences of the ownership form~ andtheir relationship, bypromoting conditions for proper management of forestswith the purposeof economic benefits rur the country, ;tI long-leon rUrlftii!fy pulk;y has Werl rurmed In Uthuanla In COITIpll~nca lu the policies of otherbranches of th&economyof the country, basedon the traditionsof the co~ntry and reqUirements of \he European Union 18ga\ norms, tema\\ona\ conventions, resoMions, agreements, programmes, and nationallegal acts. The folloWing instruments are USed for the purpose of ImplementatIOn or the forestry polic~: well organised, qualifted forestryadministration Independent from anytemporalpoliticalchang~; the Forest Law andotherlegalacts; taxes revenuesand financial support: education and training; m~nagement of theforestryinformation; pUblic relations. Following the principles and directions of forming of the Lithuanian forestry policy, the stra~y of the Lithuanian Forestry development shall be implemented. Themainobjectiveof the Strateg~ is todefinethe maiorinStruments forthe~tationof the forestry po\\cyfor \M period un\\\ \he yeaT Pf 2.015. II. FORESTRY POLICYFORMING PRINCIPLES The Littluanlem forestry policy is baing funned upon the following prinolpleu: 1) rE,tsponsibllity for the continuous and sustainable use of the forest resources Considering thero\e01' roresm as the major souree of\he nmewab\e natura' resourceslor '!hesooe'ly, the fomby policy ensures the responsibility of forest owners, fnres.t govemors and u rs for the statl;l of forests and a sustainable use of resources andtheir restoration. The state, trough e execution of the stateregulating functionsof all forests of the country, developing of the forest infra ructure, forest protection &galnst the naturalcalamities, widespread diseases andpests, provides legrl, financial and other PIltCOOditfOns for the preservation of forests, rational use of the forest resources, ,meeting the social needs of the societyand for the environment protection; 2) compliance to the national legalsystemandInternational agreements The Lithuanian ioresby po\iCy \s formed fo'\owing \he Cons\\\u\\OO of \he Repub\\c o1l\\,tluania ana other legalacts, andalso the COnventIOn on the Conservation of European Wildlife an~Ni:llural Habitat, signed In1979 inBern, the Biodiversity Convention signedIn Rio de Janeiro i 1992,and ForestProtection Principles adoptedat the United Nations conference "Environment a , Oevelopmenr, the Strasbourg 1990,Helsinki 1993, and Lisbon 1998resolutions of the Ministerial Lithuania Forest PoliCY Strategy 2002 167------ .. Conferences on Protedion of forests InEurope, theprinciples of the European Union forestry strategies, European Uniondirectives on forestry andenvironment protection issues; >:I) p .. rlid~tlon l;I.nd ....o-nIU'r.:atlon ,.,f .. UlntArAdArl orrn,fUl nHM flMAty The policytakesinto regard the opinion of all interested groups of the society, compl~ andbalances the interests of forestowners, forestgovernors anli users,woodprocessors, 6lW1ronrr\ental organisations, and o1her socialgroups related to forest andforestry-related ecorwmy. :All major forestry policy 5fatements shallbe In compllanca with separate stakeholders and submitted for public consideration of the society; 4) varietyof forestownership foons andtheiret1uality of rights The 8QUSrltY of rightsfor economic activities in forests of all ownership forms is Implemet'lted. Equal legal and other conditions both for the management andeconomic activities in private rs wellas s1ate-owned forestsare auatad. DUring the deVelopment of the Lithuania forestry, the;market economy relationship and free competition principles are strengthened at the private a$ wellas \l'lthe state-owned forestrysector; 5} forestry complexity Forestryis beingdeVeloped in a complex manner upon thebasisof multipleusetaking; Into regard Its significance and relations to t/leI consumers of the forestproducts andservices, wood processing Induoby otruotures (l8 well ~s other groups of society having their Interests In for$Sts A~ forestry: 6) continuation of the forestrytraditions The Lithuanian forestryhas traditions testedthrough the courseof time,whicharetak~ ",to consideration duringthe transferof the experience of foreign countries. Forestry reform~ and reorganisations, Implementation of novelties on the forestrymanagement and otheriss~s shallbe perform8d consistently, takinginto consideration the practical know-how of the specia"~,public opinion, and interests of the state. 1If. GUIDEUNES OFTHEFORESTRY POLICY The Lithuanian forestrypolicyis being formed dnd implemented following four guidelines: g.neral, economical, ecological, and social. Thegeneral guideline of the Forestry POlicy: 1) preservation and enrIChment Ofthe fOreSI resources 2) ensuring of the varietyof forest ownership fonns 3) participation of the so<:iety In the solution of the majorforestryissues 4) information to thesocietyabout the forestsof the country, their condition andmanagement 5) development education andresearch on forestry issues G) strengthening and development of international relations Theeconomic guideline of the Forestry Policy 1) a rational, evenandcontinuous use of thEl forestresources, Increase of forestprodLJctlvity, and Improvement of the qualityof the grown timber 2) increase of the economic efficiency of forestry The ecological guideline of the Forestry Policy 1) ensuring of the sulrtain:ability of ecosystems 2) preservation of biodiverstty andImprovement of forest healthiness 168 Lithuania r9rest PolleyStrategy2002 The socialguideline of the ForestryPolley: 1} meeting the general forest-related needsof the society 2) development of state and private forestry sectors in the context lIf rural deveillpment IV. ANALYSIS OF THEFORESTRY SECTOR Forests represent one of the mostimportant lIthuanian natural resources havinga fundamentsl economic, social andecological significance. At the presenttime, forvsts In Wthuanla cover about 2 million hectares, or about ~1 per ",,"I uf the ttlrrilory of thecountry. The total timbervolumeaCctJmulated In the forests of the country!ECheS 371.7 millionm3. Forestareaperone Inhabitant of the country reach0.57 hectareor 106m3 of' ber Volume accordingly. ,he forest resources permanently increased dUling tha lastfiftyyears and, at t time, It\ey &f~ suffioient for ensuring Q balanced fulfilment of tho pUblic noade. Strengths: Sufficient forest resou~ for ensuring a balanced fUlfilment of the pUblic needs and forestry deV9lopment The forests of strict reserves, special-purpose (ecosystem protection and recreational) forests, and protective forestscover 571 thousand hectaresor 28.3%of the total forestarea~he country. About 19% of allllthuanlan forests are underprotectedterTitones, with forestsat the sa time making up about 50 % Ofthe total protected areas. The Lithuanian (onmt; can be deacribW for a ,arloty of 5poc1ee. and mixtures. Strengths: Substllnt/af forest areas for forest ecosystem, soil, air, and water protection, recreation, penormmg oromereCOlOgICal anusor;tal fUnmlOns 71.1 Ok oftarest \ends are covered by \he 10urth-gr0up(eommete\a\) fQ\'e.&\$, \t't 'Hb\ch U\e rna ~'1~ of the economic activitiesis to form productiVe forest standsfor a permanent Umber/supply. The averagesite Class qualityIs 2.0, the stockiflg level 0.71, growing stock volume- 193 m3l1l8, with the averagecurrent increment reaching 6.1 m3lhaannually. It shan be noted that the·annual felUng amount In the forests of the countrywas 3iQ..3.2 million ms 10 years ago. Dueto the increasing areas of premature and mature foreststands anl:! their volumes in the forestsof the country', forestcuttingvolumesare gradually Increasing. Duringthetrecentyears,about5 millionm3 of timberwas cutIn the Lithuanian forests annually, whereas the total nnualcurrenttimber increment reached 11.7 mltlion m3. Forest cutting volumes mlgl'ltreach 6-6.5 mm on m3 per yearin the nearestfuture. Strengths: Productive forest standspredominate, and forest felling volumes enable to ensurs the supply of the industry and inhabHants with local tdrest materials, export of woodproductsand mw material At present, there are about400-500 thousand~ of abandoned and lmUi;agt\cu.ltmat laM, exploited pits and peat-bogs as well as otherabandOned land plots,which could .e afforestated. In such a way the fnrast cmIer of Lithuania wouldbe Increased by several per cent and a imatethe forestcover of otherBalticcountries. Thiswouldensurean economically rational use of uncu Ivated and poor-quallty lands. Opportunity: Aft9r planting of forests on pat'Jr-quaJity and abandonfd fands. the uthuan/an forest coverwould increase by several per cent and approximate the forestcover of othar Bamc countries Lithuania ForestPolicyStrategy2002 169 In Lithuania, forestseedlings are grown at more than 500nurseries. Themajority of thes, nurseries are small-size andnon-perspective and the quality of theforest seedlings grown in someof the nurseries do not comply to qualityrequirements because anefficient useof modern machinery and aPbflcation of advanew forest MfJCJling6 growing technologi91$ impoZislble in 5mall-15iitel nu~"rle$. T~ majority of the nurseries produce littleof the deciduous trees, omilochorlc treesand bushes. the variety9f forest plants is poorfor the Increase of the forestbiodiversity and establlshement of new forests In the agrlculturalland. Weakness: SmaJkllze nUnJer!es do nat ensure quality of seedling:>, their ~Wlng lXJSts BffJ high, limited possibilities for use of modem machinery an application of advanced technologies; the majorily of the nurseries pro· uee insufficient assortment ofthedeciduous trees andbushes FoUowing the results of long-term forest condition observations (regio081 forestmonitoring' in uthuania is performed since1967)the condition of aH kinds of tress deteriorated tin 1995. A tendency bfforest condition improvement wasobserved from1995. IV. present m0'!'8nt, thegeneral COnditiO~fthe decJaUOU5 uees lis WUltill' If WfIlj./c:IIW tu the \A.JmJlUgn ur th'CI {iQfl1~O, Thllll oo.mo hi ub>tc In other European countries. If compared to other Europeal'l countries. the condition of the Uthuan forests Is average. opponuntty: Due to the c1ectvase uf air poJluUoo and by applylllg thtl Illl'~$~aty forest P~$t, disease and other forest damaging factor prevention means, the condition of the Uthuanlal'l fOrests coUld furtherimprove Stateforest inventory is performed at all torestsOfme country. upon tnlS (lata,statecaaaster {lllqlstel1or foreSUl is performed which covers the data about forests, their ownership, forestresource quantity and quality as welias the economic: value. This data is aclualised periodically and Is used fertile strategic forestry planning. All foresthoJdings haveforest management plans uponwhichthe forestrY isorganised and alt ndor6Statlon, fol6lilt use, and foreM land management octi\ll\i~Drc performed. strengths: All uthuanlan forests and their resources 8f9 inventorlad data periodically actualisedandused tor theforest'Ypractice Theownership structure of theLlIhuanfan forests changes dueto the ongoing Land(andfdrest) Reform. According to the Forest Lawof the ~public of Uthuania, forestcan belong bothto thestatEandalsoto thecitizens of the Republic of Lithuania onthe basis of pnvateownership. On January01, •\here was521 thousand hectares of prtvate fOrests, or 26%Of me total forestareaof me country, It ha5 been estimated thatprivata forestswill m8keabout 40-45 per centof the total forestareaof the dountfy after completion of theLand(forest)Reform. Opportunity: Private forest ownership creetes conditions for forming Of the forestland mSrket and competition In the forest sector of the country as well as In the foreign markets The Land (forest) Refonnlasts for ten years already. However, the ownership rightswere~ored to half of the forests areasonly,Le. forthe areas inwhich privateownership rightscouldbe resto . About500 thouUnd hectares of forests are reserved forthe restitution of the ownership rights andthe I areno economic or commercial activities perfonned in theseareas, This is whythe forestresources of hecountry areusedInsufficiently. Weakness: A sJow-proceeding Land(fOrest) Reform due to whiCh the for9st !'6sources of the countryare usedinsufficiently 170 lithuania ForestPOlifr Strategy 2002 During thecourse of the Land(forest) Retonn, small forestownerships emerged (as for J~nuary 01, 2002, the avel'8ge sizeof a private forestholding was about 4.4 ha), the network: of forest owners co-operatives andothereconomic entities developed veryslowly.and the Lithuanian Forest OwnersAs~Oclation covers onlya verysmallnumber of the total forestowners. At present time, a quarter, and after e completion of the reform- almosta halfof the lithuanlan forestswith all theirfunctions they performwill e managed by private forest owners, the estates of which are small-sized, giving littleincome, their fares management knowledge is Insufficient, andthe ownenlhip dUtyconceptis poorlydeveloped for ensurin a observance of the sustainable forestmanagement principles. Weakness: Small-sized private forestholdings, wesk co-operatlon of forest owne~ snd lack of forestry know-howhinder the development of privateforestry. lithuania hasa common fireemergency and. sanitaryforestprotection system. which now ensures ftre em&rgenCyand sanl\ary protection of an forests of ttle country completely. This systemha~ been developed andadopted to big forestmanagement entitles. andprimarily to the state fore::tl enterprises. Dueto the Increase of smail-sized privateforest estates, this system mightbe insufficiently efficient in ensuring fire-emergency and sanitary protection to all forestownership forms, thr8at: Due the increasing number of smaJl-sized private forest estatf3s, the existing forestfil'fr6mergency end senltaryprotection system mey beCOlJ1(J inefficient. Forestry is important bl'anch of \he Uthuarnan eamomy. The surplus value of the llUwsNar forest sector (forestry, together with wood indu9fl)'. Including timbar And wood pmdllet production. fib~'1paperand paperitems. furniture production) made3.6 % In 2001.lNith theforestry sectorsharingabdut0.6%of the GOP. Forestry activities are not subsidised from the statebudget. At present, the state~~ enterprises act likestateenterprises uponthe law of Stateand Municipal Enterprises and pay all taxa foreseen to the stateenterprises. Thestataforestenterprises giveabout 100-1.30 m\\lion L1'L to the budget formsof various taxesand deductions. Strengths: Forestry sctivftfes do not need to besubsidised from the state budget. The increasing areasof privateforestdecrease respectively thestatefOrest areas manag~ by state forestenterprises. Somestateforestenterprises become too smsll in sizefor performing e c1ent economic actlvftles andfor ensuring Implementation of all reforestation, forestprotection, a d maintenal'lc@ instruments. Threat: Due to the decrease of stats forest al'flSS, part of the state forest .nterpris9s may becomeeconomically IneffICient. Forestry speciansts with university, college, and secondary-school leveleducation have~prepared from the thirddecade of the lastcenturyin lithuania. Qualifl8d forestry personnel edueatio traditions have almost eightyyears. The greater part of the forestry studygraduates work in the to sector. For example, IIbuul 60 percentof the 1990-2000 year graduates of the Littluanlan Agricultural nlwlllity, ForestFaculty workat stateforestent81'llrises or otherfores1ry-related en1.etprises and . ations. The general qualifICation of the specialists working In the forestry sectorIshighenoughnow. Strengtns; A slJff/Ctentfy high qual/neatlon o( tiN apeGiaflsl$ working in th~ fore'51ry sector The woodcut in the LJthuanian forests is prepared in assortments mostoften, Itstransport~on using forwarders and self·loadlng trailers is increasing. In 2000, the state forestenterprises preps. ed about 96 percentof timberin assortments, andonly4 per cent In stems or semi-stems. Almost two-t ms orme timberproduced at stateforestenterprises were transported outof forests uslJlg forwarde or $elf loading trailers. Lithuania Fl1rest Polley Stral90JI 2002 171 Strengths: State forest enterprises use rational timber harvesting technOlogies and mOdem machinery There are about30 thousand kilometres of forestroads in the country. This roadnetwdrkis well maintained with about 20 percentof thetotal road networkrepaired andwithabout 100I«n new tOTeS\ roadsconstructed annually. Such a wideand pennanently maintained and renewed roednetwork creates good conditions for timber harvesting works and arrangements of timber sales. Strengths: A sUfficient road nfiltwork for the forestrydevelopment Th6 stateforest enterprises andadministrations of the national parks use the servicesQf contractors for timblilr harvesting, reforestation and thinning development Widely. The contractor-based work volumes increase in all of the above-mentioned forestryactivities. 102000, the contractors cut6l 1per cent oftrees in the state forestentel'Prises, andextracted out of fellingsites about32 per centof all h8rrestedtimber. During the sameyellr, the contractors plantlJd 11 per cant or the tol~1 rercrestauon areas and hilndtKI 132 per cent of the thinning areas. Opportunity: Increasing contractor WOrk volumes creat6 favourable conditions for developtn6nt Of prtvate contractor companies The greaterpart of the prepared roundwood Is sold for the local market with quite a ~ignificant quantiW el<ported. In 2001,1.3 mUlion m3 of the round wood and about 750 thousand m3 of sa"'!'" timber products was exported abrOad (this quantityequals to approximel~ two-lhlrds or Ule luIal ~awn~~imberproducad in the country). The volumesofimported roundwood arevery insignifICant. OppOltunlty: Favourable geographical location of the country for the develbpm&nt of foreign tradein WOOd products Weakness: Toobig expoltsofroundandprimarily..processed wood Pulpwood makes up the majority of the expor1e(l round wood, the posslbilitiell of the USE of which are Vllry limited In Ute country, At the present time. the exports of the pulpwood reached 1 million rn3 per year. Other types of small-sized roundwoodand resklualproductsarenot used effICiently in ttle country. Weakness: InaufflcfQntly de~/oped timbfJr industry of the country With the support of foreign oountrles and international funds various international ~ects have been implemented on tt1e forestry development Issues In Uthuania. During the preparation or the European Union membership. the l'ICCt'sslng states receN8 support from the accession support In' 'alive8. and after Lithuania becomes member, It wUl htlve an opportunity to usethe strudural fundsof the uropean Union. Opportunity: Use of the support of foreign countries, Intemst/onal and ~uropean Union structuralfunds for the development of the forestsector V. vtSION The Lithuanian forests- a natural elementof the Lithuanian landscape distinguishing for Y,~i~ healthiness, biodiversity, productivity and stability, supplying with timber and other wood products. ~ing home for numerous animaland plant species, stopping SOll erosion, absorbing carbon dioxide and 'purifying the air, protecting groundand surfacewaters, satisfying other balanced ecological, economical, ~nd socialpublic needs. 172 lithuania ForestPolicyStrategy2002 The Lithuanian forestry • a modem, market.c)riented branchof the col,lntry's economy ratiooally usingand incmasing the fOl'QSt l'&!.Ources, having a developad InfrastructUr& and qualified~. appl'j g modemtechnologies, creating working places and cosy livingsurroundings. VI. MISSION OF THESl'ATE • • • • • • • • • To form and implement a rational forestry development polk::y, which would ensure ecologically, economically and sociallybalanced development of the forestry sector. To ensure the stability of the forest ecosystems, preservation of the biodiversity, increase of the torsstproductIVIty, improvement Of theirqualityanahealthiness. To preserve the valuable forest genetic fund by using the national forest genetic resources for the establishing and creating of newobjectsof forestseedbasis. To increase the forest coverof Lithuania by planting forests on uncultivated and poor-et.UUlality solis as well as other non-used land areas where forest planting would contribute to the formation of the Lithuanian natural carcass. To ensure thevarietyof forestownership formsandthe efficiency of forestry state regulation. To ensure meeting of the general forest-related socialneeds of the society. To aeate a favourable leaal,economic andInstitutional environment for the effectiveal1~ competitive functioning ofthe foresteconomy, wood industryanda variety of forest business enterpTlses in a free market. To encourage innovations, competitiveness, development of markets and establishment of working pt~OQ. To ensure the maintenance of the scienUflc potential and its rational application as well as the preparation of hig!HJuallfication forestryspecialists. vn. STRATEGIC FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT OBJECTNES 1. Preservation and Ineroas. of the forest rA$Gurces 1.1. A rational use of the forest resources by deCf88sing the share of clear-cutting , forming and establtsh g ecologically stableforest stands andrestortng themin a timelymanner. , .2. Llmlt8tion of forest areasconversion Intoother purpose lands by applying legal andadministrative means. 1.3. Establishing of newforests, increase of the Lithuanian forestcoverby 3%duringthe ~ext 20 years with the purpose of increasing the ecological stability of the country and ensua'the role offorests in the gen~ rural development (Incomes, WOfk places, social and econ . stabillt'j) aswell as economically rational use of uncultIVated and poor-quallty 5011s taking In regard theenvironmental, landscape formation, protection of the cultural heritage, tourism dev opment and otherfactors. 2. Ensuring of the for.' ownership variety 2.1. Creation of the legal conditions for the provision of the forest ownership rights to the Lithuanian andforeign natural and legalpersons. 2.2. creation.. of equllIllegal oonditionl) for natural and legal persons after the comPletl:ti0f the land (and forest) Reform to obtain fonner reserved forest for the restitution of the owner Ip rights not takenby the owners, the forests which are not rational for 1he use of the state fa mm\agero, and providing a priority tothestate Inprotected areas. Lithuania ForestPolicy Strategy 2002 2.3. 2.4. 2.5. Correction of small-area state forests Interfering into larger private forest ~ershlp areas and vice versa as weU as correction of non-rational boundaries between the foreSts of the state and the. private sectorthroUgh equivalent forest property exchanges. Development of private forest owners training, consulting and education syst,m and preparation of separateeducation and trainingprogrammes usingthe eXisting potential of privateforest owner self-governing organisations. forest research andtraining,consulting andeducll\lon InstlMions. Creation of legal and economic pracondltions promoting merging of smail-siZed forest holdings association andco-operaUon of the forestowners. . 3. Participation of the society In the smotlon of the major forestry issues 3.1. Pc:mQrming of pllblic opinion polls end sociologil;Cl1 resosrdlco, orglmising of diacussions In tho periodicalpress and other meansof mass medta on the forestry Issues. analysis and application of the obtained Information at takingthe state-govemlng decisions. 3.2. Co-operatlon of foresters and Interested groups of the society for co-ordinaUon of forestry l;1evt:lluplfltmL I:IIJld llulvilly pruLliulIllaU" tw~try loouaoo. 4. Informing of the society about the forests of the country, their condltfon and rtIl1nagement 4.1. Improvement of II continuous and periodical forest resource and condition mo~ltoring system and forestry sector statistics taking into cooslderation the criteria and indtcat0r6 adopted by \tie European Union. 4.2. Preparation of a common forestry infonnation supply system by Joining dat=ses existing at seoarate institutions into a common syStem and by creating necessary da bases fO/"ElSGelng InfonnatlGn exetlangenot only inside1he iorestry sector, but with the outsideIn conation usersas well. 4.3. Systematic presentation of Information aboutthe condition of state-owned and Fvate forestsand forestry in official periodical publications and through other mass media, as wen as by \ssuing spacial statistical plJbllcatlons. 4.4. Popularisation afforest scienceand education activities. 5. Dcn,.Iopm.nt of forest .....areh and tonst education 5.1. Establishing of the fundamental and applied scientific research priorities for forest and wood industry. tmpIamentatlon and development of research by ensuring the maintenance of the existingforest researcll potentialand Itsrational application. 5.2. co-operation Of the Uthuanlan fore5t educatlun and unlver5ity. high-school ~Qn-unlvor$lty llInd professional training organisations seeking a moreefficientresearch development and application of results for practice and trmning. InVolvement of youngspecialists Intosdant\ftda~. 5.3. Actuallsatlon af the university, high-school non-university and profeSSiOn~ training school progJammes paying a grellter attention tor 'telilchlng af IiHil mllrktrt eoonomy aK;a, 3uatainlllble forest management principtes. application of modem teehnoIogies and use machinery, alld other urgent forest education areas. 5.4. Preparatlon of Iong-tem'l co-operatlon programmes between research and education organisations Of the tI8IUc and the European union counltit:llli fOTel:itlelng teal'hor and $tudent exchanges,tralnlngand research programme opportunities abroad. 6. strengthening and development of International relation. 6.1. CO-Ordination of the lithuanian legal acts, regulating the forestry acliviUaS~coo«i g to \I:\e requirements of intematlonal doQuments, takinginto regard the Convention on th Consmvation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitat., signed In 1979 in Bem, Biodiversity Co ention signed in Riode Janeiro in 1992,and Forestprotection Principles adopted at the United N tlonsconference "Environment and Developmenr. the Stra$bOurg 1990, Helsinki 1993, a 1\\ ~bon 1'&$8 resolutions of the Ministerial Conferences on Protection of Forests in Europe, principles of the European Union forestry policies and strategies, European Union directives on foreslry and enwanment protection issues. 174 6.2. 6.3. 6.4. lithuania Forest PolicyStrategy2002 ! Setting of priorities for co-operation with the foreign countdas, preparation of a programme for practical co-operatiOn. ! Implementation of changes related to the enlargement of the European UnJ9n taking Into consideration the requhements of International ~&OIuUon$, conventione and agre.mcnls, end in co-operation With Inlemational organisations. Informatloo and knoYfohOW exchange on 1he forestryissu8S with inlematkmal argflnisations and Individual foreign countries wilh thepurpose of a mutually beneficial use of infonnatipn. 7. Rational, sustainable and continuous use of the forest resources and Increase of the forest productivity 7.1. Differentiated use of the forest resources upon forest groups and categOf'\es:, aimed at ecooomically valuable forest stand tonnation at IV and III group forests, giving a priority for the preservation of the nature values In II and I forestgroups. 7.2. Implementation of forest management activities In forestsbased on forest managel'J'\l:lnt plansand requirements of forest research. . 7.3. Control of forest resource useat forests of all ownership fonns laklng into regard th, actualtimber increment, tree species composition andagestrucbJre, andseeking a continuous uSe. 7.4. Applioatlon of forest tree breeding means, thinning, improvement of forest infrasbpcture (roads, ditchO$,~Iogica\ 11MliS end routea) end Improvoment of the economic Intl'trumG~,\a\dng imo regard the requirements for sustainable forest management and the abundance bf smail-sized private forestholdings. 7.5. Improvement of forest protection against plundering and thefts with a deeper differentiation into legiill liability il.n.d by developing~ protection etructuroa. B. Improvement of the economic efficiency of forestry B.1. 8.2. 8.3. 8.4. B.5. 8.6. 8.7. 8.8. 6.9. 8.10. 8.11. Optlmlsng of for6Stly 81ale regulation system by preparing and Implementing an ~tlmal forestry slate regulation modelbasedon the Lithuanian forestrytraditions, european UnlDfl requirements as wei! as the llthuanian and foreign ceun\ries' torestry adminis1rat1on systeins 18gal and economic situation analysis. Increase of effloleney of the companies involved in forest commercial activities by preparing and implementing optimal economic activityorganisation modelsin forests. Improvement of complex forest management activlt\es state forests, including f6f~, maintenance, protection, rational use of forest resources, trade in round wood and other forest resources as wellas low-quality wood andfuel-wood seilingas non-cutforesl Improvement of the taxation system In the forestry sector taking Into regard mal'ket economy condltIoM. Renewal of forest management activities In the fot'esti reserv9d for the =tlon of the owneruhip riShts seeking to include theM. as soon AS possible, into forett r6 rca use and ensureforestry incomes fromtheseforests after the completion of the land (forest) ann. Use of more economically efficient forest macllinery and technologies by apptying of IovM:ost demanding and ecoIogically-GOUnd forestty management systems (for example, the natura' regeneration). Increase ofthe sizeof forestnurserieS andtheir modernisation seeking 10 enstJr8 thE qualityof the forest seedlings, decrease their growing costs, as well as to use modem and adl,ranced forest seedlings growing techno\Qgies. Increase of a rational use of small-slZed WOOd and felling residues inside the doMe$tic marketby developing the capacity of the wood processing Industryand use of this type of wood for' the energetic purposes. Introduction of a compensation systemfor the forest owners for their' losses due to ti:le restrictions of fores1 management activities In the proteeteCI areasunaerestaOnsllfllttnl. promotion of investments into the forestproducts production and marketing. Promotion of wood product exports. Lithuania r:oroct PoUoy Stnategy 200£ 175 9. Ensuringof sustanablllty of forest ecoaystems 9.1. Preparation of the scientifically-based nottrla1.hleptoposals for The co-ordinaticin of economic and social Issues during the establishment of protected areas, revising the existi~g boundaries and establiShing a related economic regimein thes.e"klrests. 9.2. Inventory of natural and semi.natural forests (based on FAa classifieatiqrJ), a more exact clarification of their protection regime arid establlslllilent of new protected ter/itories primarily at themostvaluable natUral object habitats. 9.3. Restoration of the ecological value of degraded forestaeosystems. 10. P....ervatlon of the biooiv....lty and Improvement of fUfll.t hoalthln... 10.1. Impmvement of register and protection of rare and extinction plant and animal species and their habitats. 10.2. Reforestation and forest planting upon the RCOloglcal-genetic basis. plantin~ mora of mixed plantations. hard deciduous, combining afforestation with the natural regeneration, paying a specialattention to the fonnatfon of sustainable forestedges. 10.3. Increaseof tl\e assortment of forest nurseriae' production seeking to ensure~ stabilityof the plantedforests and preservation of the biodiversiiy. 10.4. DIs1Ingulshing of basic valuable forest pOpIJl!lti"nsJn ~8 each natural forest I"el:lian by preserving the naturel species and genetic structun:ithrough a natural use of the genetic resources tor reproduction. 10.5. Improvemont of the unified forest fire-emergency and llanltary foraat protoollc,? systems on the national level takinginto consideration the abundance of small-siZed private foro:st lloldlngs. 10.6. Reduceof chemicalforest protectlon meansClod their replacement with blologic.El1 andmechanical means. 10.7. A rational use of the game animal resources With the purpose of balancing their numbers in populations. reductionof Uleirdamage fOi forests, andotherrequirements. 11. Satlsfyfng of U'Ie general to...st-relaled society needs 11.1. Co-ordination of forest visiting regulation taking into regard the needs of forest owners and the wholesociety. 11.2. Oev&topmerot of the cognltwerecreation and tourism Infrastructure in the forests. 11.3. l:osllT1ng Ofme pl'fIServliltlOn or the Cllltural tJQrltil~ QbJacllil In state-owned and private forests, takinga special regard to the SpecifICS of small-sized forest holdings. 11.4. Promotion of womenemployment in the fores1ry sector. 12. Development of state and private forestry In the context of the general rurai development 12.1. Creation of new working places in the forestry sector by developing various forest businesses, economical promottonof t.tlese businesses (SUbsidies, preferential credits, tax prKtileges and etc.) in tho rural development context. 12.2. Promotion of recreational, hunting and other service proViding to the society and promotion of nonawooe! forest productdevelopment inthe pr\va1e andstateforestrysector. 12.3. Improvement of the social security for those working in the forest sector seeking to createbetter worksaf&ty conditionstorbOth state BJ1d privato furoobyeector, 12.4. Integration of private forestry develOPment Into.The g~ne~1 rural development programmes co ordinating the activitieswith the rural self-governing institutions. 176 lithuania ForestPollC)iS~gy 2002 VllI.IMPLEMENTATION OF THESTRATEGfC FORESTRYDEVELOPMENT OBJ1!CTJVES A r;Uan Q~ acl~ and measUIlil $ha" be concluded for the implenlentation of the stl'ateglc forestry development objectives which shall include definite actions and means for the devlt!oPn$1t Of separate strategic Oblemhles e$tab\ishing the. pertad for the implement9t1on of these means and defining the executives in charge. IN COMPLIANCE WITH Mini.~tt't ofBconOJrliCil "fthe Republic ofUthu2niQ PetrasCesna. 2002 IN COMPLIANCE WITH Minister of Agricmture of theRepublic ofLithuania Jc:rommas Kraujelis. 2002