Press Releases

January 2010

Friday, 01 January 2010

EOS contribution to the “Commission working document – Consultation on the future “EU 2020”
strategy”

The European Organization of the Sawmill Industry, EOS, acknowledges the intention of the European
Commission to adopt a formal Communication in spring 2010 to deal with the major challenges faced
by Europe at the present time and to determine the policy as a follow‐up to the current Lisbon
strategy.
The working document released to this aim rightly refers to the need for partnership. EOS considers
that well co‐ordinated approaches are required, with uniform actions at European, national and local
level, rather than a plenitude of different initiatives likely to lack the right focus.
The effects of the financial and economic crisis will need to be addressed with urgency. In this context
it is important that, whatever measures are taken or support given, these ensure a level playing field
for all economic actors and do not lead to distortions of competition between countries, sectors or
even within sectors.
EOS considers that the impact of the digitalization of society and economy is somewhat overrated.
Europe has to maintain a basic production basis in order to ensure that other sectors can flourish and
develop.
We can largely subscribe to the key drivers of EU 2020 put forward in the consultation paper, in
particular the third on “creating a competitive, connected and greener economy”. The sawmilling
industry sees itself in the centre of this as it uses man’s only naturally renewable and sustainably
produced material: wood, and plays a key role in the development of new, greener technologies e.g.
for wood products, bio‐energy and biofuels.
Through an increased use of wood products, the pressure on non renewable and energy intensive
resources can be reduced, allowing Europe to better comply with its commitments in the fight against
climate change. Caution should be taken, however, when looking at the issue of low carbon or carbon
neutral energy. Presently, EU member states strongly focus on biomass to achieve the targets imposed
by Europe. These should, however, not lead to negative impacts on the raw material supply to
industry in order to safeguard competitive operations. The EU and Member States should carefully
monitor possible negative side‐effects of an over‐emphasis on renewable energy sources, and wood in
particular. The sector should be involved at all stages of the decision‐making process.
A topic hardly addressed in the consultation paper is the issue of climate change. Considering that the
COP15 conference in Copenhagen has unfortunately not come up with a clear answer nor agreement,
the EU will need to maintain putting focus on this global issue, and speed up its efforts to have
harvested wood products recognized as part of the solution in further discussions.
Finally EOS suggests that, when further defining its EU 2020 strategy, the European Commission would
duly consider the recommendations and action plan proposals included in its “Communication on
competitive and sustainable forest‐based industries in the EU” as issued in February 2008 already.
These proposals match with the overall intentions of the EU consultation paper and translate the
political goals into tangible actions. Their realization would certainly bring the required support to the
sawmilling industry in Europe.