Forest to be better protected
In the future, the Swiss forest is to be better protected against pests and prepared for climate change. This is the intention of the revisions to the Forest Act and the Forest Ordinance, which have just been rubber-stamped by the Federal Council.
The Federal Council has approved the revision of the Forest Ordinance. The new provisions aim to better protect the forest from harmful organisms in the future, to prepare it for the challenges of climate change, and to strengthen wood utilization and occupational safety during timber harvesting.
Control invasive pests
The amendments on the prevention and control of harmful organisms close existing regulatory gaps. The background is the threat to the forest from pathogens, fungi and insects. In particular, invasive pests such as the Asian longhorned beetle, the tree of gods or the fungal disease ash wilt are entering Switzerland with increasing frequency due to globalization and threaten forest health.
The amendments allow the Federal Council to prohibit or restrict the handling of certain organisms, plants and goods and to introduce licensing, notification, registration and documentation requirements to protect against harmful organisms.
Adaptations to climate change
The forest is broadly affected by climate change. The federal government expects that, in addition to rising average temperatures, extreme events such as dry periods or storms will occur more frequently. Hazards such as forest fires or infestation by harmful organisms are likely to increase. The changed site conditions could lead to a threat to forest functions. For this reason, the promotion of forest regeneration, targeted young forest maintenance or the production of forest reproductive material should make forest stands resilient and adaptable to the expected climate changes.
A new article enables the federal government and the cantons to take appropriate measures and support them with financial aid.
Increase wood utilization
For decades, less wood has been used in the Swiss forest than is growing back. The Confederation considers greater use to be sensible and desirable, since wood has excellent properties, particularly as a building material (e.g. for compacted construction), its use stores CO2 and it can at the same time replace energy-intensive building materials such as steel or concrete.
As a raw material for heat and power production, wood is CO2-neutral, unlike fossil fuels. This means that wood from the Swiss forest can make an important contribution to the political goals of climate and energy policy, but also to resource efficiency and dense construction.
The Forest Act therefore contains a new article on the promotion of wood and another on the use of wood in federal buildings and facilities. The Confederation is thus creating a better basis for promoting the sale and utilization of sustainably produced wood - in general and in federal buildings and facilities in particular.
The revised Forest Act and the amendments to the Forest Ordinance will enter into force on January 1, 2017.
