Source: European Parliament
1. There are several projects supported with EU funding that relate to the management of holm and cork oak forests and improving their resilience. Under the EU programme for the environment and climate action, LIFE FAGESOS[1] specifically aims to address and remediate outbreaks of Phytophthora cinnamomi disease through the development and application of new integrated pest management protocols. Another relevant completed project is LIFE ADAPTAMED[2], which produced a good practice manual for combating cork oak pests[3]. Conservation and restoration activities are also being undertaken thanks to funding under the Recovery and Resilience Facility[4] and the European Regional Development Fund[5].
2. Forestry interventions under the Common Agricultural Policy[6] should be based on sustainable forest management plans[7] and may comprise sustainable management of forests and investments that guarantee and enhance forest conservation and resilience.
Support may be granted for management commitments and investments aimed at maintaining the health of forests and protecting forests against abiotic and biotic damages caused by animals, plant diseases or pest infestations. Support for the restoration of forestry potential following natural disaster, adverse climatic events or catastrophic events may be granted as well.
3. The Commission is not currently involved in any active cooperation with countries outside of the EU on this issue. In Morocco, the ‘Terre Verte Programme‘ contributes to Morocco’s forests replantation programmes. The programme also focuses on the fight against forest diseases, dieback and promoting effective replantation through research policy reinforcement, but there is no specific focus on Quercus forests.
- [1] Project running until 2027: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE21-CCA-IT-LIFE-FAGESOS-101074466/phytophthora-induced-decline-of-fagaceae-ecosystems-in-southern-europe-exacerbated-by-climate-change-preserving-ecosystem-services-through-improved-integrated-pest-management
- [2] https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE14-CCA-ES-000612/protection-of-key-ecosystem-services-by-adaptive-management-of-climate-change-endangered-mediterranean-socioecosystems
- [3] https://www.lifeadaptamed.eu/?p=1907
- [4] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382020516_Restoring_Mediterranean_Oaks_Enhancing_ Conservation_and_Management_through_Networked_Plot_Monitoring_and_Plot-based_Analysis
- [5] https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funding/erdf_en
- [6] Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013, OJ L 435, 6.12.2021, p. 1-186.
- [7] Or equivalent instruments.