Strasser/Kühberger: Forest law amendment ensures climate-fit forests

2023-10-19 17:02:06

The federal government is taking contemporary measures for sustainable forest management in Austria

Vienna (OTS) – The amendment to the Forestry Act was passed in parliament today by the National Council. ÖVP agriculture spokesman DI Georg Strasser and MP Andreas Kühberger are pleased with the necessary adjustment to the law: “Austria’s forests are confronted with enormous challenges in the face of advancing climate change. With this change we have taken an important step for Austria’s forests. The measures not only ensure sustainable forest use, but also incorporate ecological aspects in order to do justice to advancing climate change.”

“We have seen in recent years that heat and drought can lead to serious forest fires. Now, for the first time, we have agreed on a nationwide system that provides for uniform compensation for forest firefighting costs for our fire departments. Specifically, the amount of costs depends on the duration and size of the fire. For example, a fire department receives 5,000 euros as a flat rate compensation for a forest fire operation that is completed in less than 24 hours and falls into the medium fire category (0.3 – 3 hectares). With this measure, the federal government is also showing its appreciation for our fire departments, which in most cases are deployed voluntarily to protect people and the environment,” emphasizes Strasser.

“The increasingly difficult climate conditions are putting considerable stress on the forests. The forest also plays a crucial role in sequestering carbon. This contributes significantly to reducing CO2 emissions and thus to climate protection. The adjustments to the Forestry Act in the area of climate protection, such as reducing the age at which spruce trees are not ready to be cut from 60 to 50 years, will at the same time make the use of the forest easier and also sequester more carbon. This in turn shows that agriculture and forestry in Austria is part of the solution and not the problem – active management of our forests is climate protection in action,” says Kühberger.

In addition, Strasser and Kühberger explain: “Multi-purpose hedges may also be used agriculturally in the future, for example as agroforestry areas, if the construction is reported to the forestry authority within ten years. Such hedges are considered to be particularly ecologically valuable as they protect against soil erosion and provide a habitat for flora and fauna. An actively managed forest not only has a positive impact on the climate, but also promotes biodiversity. The change in the Forestry Act represents an important basis for modern forestry.” (Conclusion)