Confor rolls back EU bureaucracy As a new group of lawmakers were elected to the European Parliament, Confor succeeded in rolling back bureaucracy caused by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). In future, applicants for felling licences will not have to provide additional detail to demonstrate compliance with EU legislation. “It is very pleasing that common sense has prevailed”, said Confor chief executive Stuart Goodall. “Confor met with Defra, Forestry Commission England and the National Measurement Office to press for further simplification, but I didn’t expect that we would see all the changes rolled back”. The Forestry Commission had sought to assist woodland owners and managers meet the requirements of the EUTR by providing for additional detail in felling licence applications to record species and volumes. In some cases the additional paperwork was significant and confusion around the level of detail required was widespread in the private sector. At the request of Confor, Defra spoke with the European Commission and secured their agreement that the additional detail would not be required in future. “Confor has put a great deal of work into minimising paperwork and bureaucracy associated with the EUTR and the support of FC and Defra has been very welcome.” In England, the Forestry Commission is now changing its guidance and forms, and will be updating field managers. Confor has asked Forestry Commission Scotland and Natural Resources Wales to take similar action as appropriate. A simple pro-forma which was developed by Confor with the Forestry Commission will still be distributed and made available as before as a means of demonstrating compliance with the legislation.
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 09:14:26 +0000
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