Forest Products Markets in Western European Urbanized Society;the Dutch experience
Nico A. Leek, Consultant wood market
IUFRO Division 5, Taiwan 2007
Introduction
• Changes & developments in the roundwood supply and demand in Western Europe
• Illustrated by the Dutch situation
• The Netherlands is a consumer country:consumption 14 million m3 RWEproduction 1 million m3
• In urbanized societies Agriculture, Forestry and Nature conservation strongly influenced by “urban votes”
Introduction
• Wood Supply influenced by increasing demand for more natural forests
• International NGO’s and government have pushed the forest certification process for SFM and recently for legal origin increased demand for Certified Wood Products (CWP)
The Dutch Forest
13%2%
13%
10%62%
Infrastructure and building
Recreation areas
Forest and nature areas
Water
Agriculture
Source: CBS
Land use in The Netherlands
The Dutch Forest
Characteristics:
• Total area 360,000 ha
• Relative young
• Fragmented woodlots
• Species composition:coniferous 54%broadleaves 46%
Source: SBB
Population density
484 The Netherlands
246 United Kingdom
231 Germany
110 France
31 USA
20 Sweden
3 Canada
Forest Management
Changes in Forest Management since 1980:
Before: wood production dominant with monocultures and clearcut management in relative young forests
After: Focus on natural processes for more natural variety and improved recreational experience
Forests exclusively for Nature Development and Forests for Multiple Use
Nature Forest Management
• Originally started with non-intervention
• Later on interventions aiming at nature development: > grazing by cattle > simulating storms (& wind damage)> more dead trees> more veteran trees
• In principle management without commercial wood harvesting
Integrated Forest Management (IFM)
IFM transforms the Dutch multiple use forests from even-aged single species plantations into small scale mixed, uneven-aged forests with native spp
Wood production of minor importance
Wood harvesting = management tool
Integrated Forest Management
IFM characteristics:
• Selective thinnings, no clearcuts
• Natural regeneration
• Uneven-aged and mixed
• More native, especially deciduous spp
• More dead wood (standing and on the ground)
• Large Dimensioned Trees
Dutch Forest Policy
“Nature for people, people for nature” 2001, confirms the trends in Dutch forestry:
• Forestry embedded in the Dutch nature conservation policy
• The recent policy supports SFM and strives at 70% of the forest area for multiple-use, 30% for Nature conservation (without wood harvesting)
• Wood harvesting: relevant in relation with SFM and as a part of multiple-use forests; harvest not allowed during nesting-season (from mid March up to July)
Wood Harvesting
Results of 25 years of IFM:
• Improved ecology and nature values, increased variation in forest structure
• Improved recreational benefits, nicer forests
• BUT: wood production and wood harvesting in secondary position
Wood Harvesting
How to create better opportunities for timber harvesting?
The Dutch Forest Based Industries sounded the alarm bell: going East or is there still a future?
Together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality a VISION ON TIMBER HARVESTING was set up tostimulate the use of wood from Dutch woodlands (a set of actions)
Similar trends in Germany: in different Bundeslander cluster studies show the importance of the Forest-Wood chain for the German economy
Forest Certification
Sustainable Forest Management:
• Certification is an effective instrument to communicate about sound Forest Management including wood harvesting
• Sustainability not only implies care for social and environmental aspects but also economic profitability timber harvesting is very crucial
• In NL 140.000 hectares = 40% of the area
Certified Wood Products (CWP)
• Strong support for FSC by NGO’s and politicians
• The Netherlands: a FSC-country; FSC is known by 67% of the public!
• Increasing demand for Certified Wood Products stimulated by FSC and NGO’s
• Dutch Forest Based Industries: not only FSC but also PEFC, CSA, SFI, MTCC….
Certified Wood Products
Dutch Timber Traders Association:
• In 2009 the origin of all the wood imported by their members is known
• In 2009 75% of the wood imported by their members is from certified forests
Dutch Public Procurement Policy:
• In 2010 public authorities will buy 100% CWP
• Similar developments in UK, Germany, Denmark and Belgium
How to stimulate wood harvesting?
• The Forest Based Industries should consolidate SFM and legal origin in the market (SFM legitimates wood harvesting)
• Acceptation by managers and forest owners that wood harvesting is an effective tool to enhance biodiversity values
• Better cooperation between forest owners; offering “full service contracts” for carrying out timber harvesting operations
Wood for Renewable Energy
Immense additional demand for woody biomass in 2020:
NL: 14 million m3
EU: 340 – 420 million m3
200 – 260 million m3 deficit = 25% of forecasted demand (EU study McKinsey, 2007)
Wood for Renewable Energy
McKinsey study:
To ensure enough supply of biomass, Europe will have to significantly stimulate biomass production and imports:
• Free up land for energy crop production
• Maximize mobilization of wood
• Facilitate overseas supplies
Great impacts on European agriculture, forestry and environmental policies.
Conclusions I
• Society in Western Europe demands for more ‘Nature’ in the forest
• Area of forest NOT available for wood harvesting will increase
• Area of forest that is not producing for the market needs will increase
• Wood consumption will strongly increase, especially for RES significant deficit is expected
Conclusions II
• The Netherlands:- is a large importer- own resource restricted and limited
- BUT 2,5 million m3 increment can contribute substantial in improving self sufficiency- HOWEVER increasing wood harvesting is complex
• Great need to reposition the role of wood harvesting in Nature Oriented Forest Management.