CEE-Wood-Industry-Associations Strengthen Cooperation
27.05.2025
- Closer collaboration on political and technical issues
- German Forestry Council (DFWR) joins in supporting joint positions
- Climate protection through active forest management and wood use
- Sharp criticism of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
Prague, 27 May 2025 – The wood industry associations from Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia have announced plans to intensify and expand their cooperation. The associations aim to promote a strong, competitive and sustainable wood sector in Europe, which they consider essential for climate protection, innovation and employment. Their member companies work with sustainably managed forests, often for generations. Many of these businesses are family run and deeply rooted in their local communities.
The partner organisations plan to not only coordinate politically, but also to strengthen collaboration on technical matters. The European wood industry – particularly in the CEE region – is under increasing pressure from growing regulatory demands and is calling for a rethink at the EU level.
Climate Protection with Wood Requires Active Forest Management
At a high-level meeting in Prague on 23 May 2025, the associations emphasised the economic and climate value of sustainable forest management and wood use in a joint declaration. They stressed that only through active forestry, secure raw material supply and innovative wood processing can the sector continue to contribute to climate protection and regional value creation. The German Forestry Council (DFWR), as the umbrella organisation of the forestry sector in Germany, expressly supports the positions adopted by the wood industry associations from Central and Eastern Europe. Together, they represent a long-standing tradition of sustainable forest management and high-quality wood processing.
Criticism of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
The associations issued a strong critique of the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation: “Instead of targeting global deforestation, the regulation burdens the sustainable European forest and wood sector with excessive bureaucracy,” the Prague Declaration states. The associations are calling for a fundamental revision of the EUDR – or, if that proves impossible, for its complete repeal. They argue that the regulation ignores the realities of sustainable forestry in Europe and jeopardises thousands of jobs as well as the security of the wood supply. The import of timber into the EU is already regulated by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR).
A Shared Goal: Strong Rural Regions, Strong Economies, Effective Climate Action
With the Prague Declaration, the wood industry associations from Central and Eastern Europe reaffirm their shared responsibility for sustainable development, innovation and the strengthening of rural areas. They are calling on the European Union to better integrate the potential of wood and the entire wood value chain into its policies on climate protection, circular economy and competitiveness.
The full position paper and press photos are available for download.
ABOUT US
Association of the Austrian Wood Industries
Association of Wood-Processing Enterprises in the Czech Republic
ALDP – Forestry and Wood-Processing Companies Association (Czech Republic)
Fabunio – Hungarian Furniture and Wood Association
FAGOSZ – Hungarian Federation of Forestry and Wood Industries
Polish Economic Chamber of the Wood Industry
ZSD SR – The Association of Wood Processing Manufacturers (Slovak Republic)
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