Save European forests!

Our forests are under threat. Right now, our continent’s last ancient forests are being cut down. Clear-cutting is rampant across Europe. The speed at which heavy harvesters are chopping down Europe's forests demands urgent action from European leaders.

Despite some EU forests being protected under the European network of nature conservation sites Natura 2000, these forests are in danger. Week after week, thousands of trees are being cut down, both legally and illegally, and exported or sold to large timber companies. Rapid and effective EU action is needed to save them.

The forestry policies of many EU member states are bad for the climate, human health and the wildlife. We depend on forests for our survival, as forests remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, prevent soil erosion and provide clean air. To save our forests, the EU needs to properly enforce forest protection, in accordance with its own environmental protection rules.

Therefore, we call on the European Commission to act quickly to:

• Ban all clear-cutting, including in protected forest and Natura 2000 as part of the EU Forest Strategy
• Prevent the use of heavy machinery in Natura 2000 sites that results in the destruction of the forest soil
• Strengthen the Natura 2000 rules to strictly preserve their natural regrowth as well as providing better protection to all existing primary and old-growth forests

Our forests, wildlife and communities need better protection now. No more destructive clear-cuts!