Assessment zur Nachhaltigkeit der Schweizer Forstpolitik – Die Sicht der Eidgenössischen Forstdirektion | The Sustainability Assessment of the Swiss Forest Policy from the Point of View of the Swiss Forest Agency

Abstract

In 1998 and 1999, an independent committee of international experts first investigated the questions of whether and to what extent Swiss forest policy is sustainable. The main topics examined were: Increase in forest area, forest regeneration,forest conservation, browsing by game, timber yield, biological diversity, the forest’s protective function, the subsidy system,the economic viability of forestry companies, and promotion of timber consumption. This document shows how the Swiss Forest Agency (SFA)evaluates the experts’ results, which were entirely based on available written material (written sources), and the conclusions the SFA draws in terms of its future work and policy development. Overall, the SFA• takes the experts’ evaluation seriously,• is mostly in agreement with the thrust of the recommendations,and• is working towards implementing and realising them.