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EU Organisations

Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF)

Introduction

CEPF is a non-profit-making organisation representing the interests of European forest owners. It promotes and protects the concept of family forestry through enhanced collaboration by its members, cooperation with the European institutions as well as extensive networking and lobbying activities. CEPF has a bridge building role, enabling family forest owners from the local level to voice their concerns and transfer their knowledge to be available at the European level.

Structure, key stakeholders and partners

CEPF was established in 1996 as a successor organization to the Central Committee of Forest Owners in the European Economic Community, which was founded in 1961. CEPF represents the interests of these forest owners through active participation in, monitoring of and working with the institutions of the European Union and other international initiatives. At present CEPF has 27 members in 25 European countries.

CEPF has an observer status in leading processes and organizations which shape forestry and forest policy in Europe and worldwide e.g. FAO. CEPF is a member of International Family Forestry Alliance – IFFA. CEPF is also a member of the IUCN.

Priorities and activities

CEPF and its member organisations have participated in the stakeholder process in the Commission since 1996 so that important family forest issues are included into the European Forestry Strategy and its report. CEPF represents family forest owners in the CAP and the rural development policies. It runs a working group on "Rural Development” which is in charge to develop CEPF position papers on this issue. The CEPF working group on "Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change” has developed a strategy for climate change issues. CEPF has also contributed and is actively contributing its expertise to the following DG Environment working/expert groups of the EU such as on Climate change, Natura 2000, Biodiversity, sustainable use of natural resources, forest fires prevention.

CEPF, the European Confederation of Woodworking Industries (CEI-Bois) and the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) have jointly established the forest-based sector Technology Platform.

CEPF co-operates with CEI-Bois (European Confederation of Woodworking Industries) and CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries) on issues of common concern to raise the awareness of decision makers on the challenges of the Forest-based industry sector.

CEPF is a partner to a number of projects funded by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Program.

Further information