eu2010 - Conference on Protection of Forests in Europe

7-04-2010 Conference on Protection of Forests in Europe

Place

Valsaín, Segovia. Centro Nacional de Educación Ambiental (CENEAM), situado en Valsaín (Segovia)

Time

9:30 AM

Participants

The Spanish Minister for the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, Elena Espinosa, will open the conference, which will be closed by the Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Water, Josep Puxeu. The European Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potocnik, the Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food, Lars Peder Brekk, and the Polish Deputy Environment Minister, Janusz Jaleski, will also attend.

Programme

The conference will meet april 6th and 7th. By means of this conference. The EU wishes to promote debate on the role of forests and the need to protect them. Spain considers that forest protection is essential in order to prevent catastrophes such as flooding and landslides induced by rainstorms and forest fires. On 1 March, the European Commission adopted a Green Paper which contains a series of European Union proposals on the protection of woodland and information about forest resources and their condition, which will be used a basis for discussion. Responses to the Green Paper by the public, the Member States, the EU institutions and other interested parties will direct the Commission as to whether or not it is necessary for the EU to take new measures. The conference also intends to adopt a series of conclusions, summarised in a statement, which will include guidelines for greater protection of European forests.

Additional information

To make it easier to get to La Granja, the Environment Ministry is providing a bus for journalists, which will leave from the ministry building (Paseo de la Infanta Isabel,1). Journalists who wish to cover the opening session must make this known by telephoning 913475145 or 913475144 or by e-mail to gprensa@mapa.es