Support for Private Forest Owners in Thuringia: Aid for Managing Pine Forests - Environmental Safeguard Proposal on Agenda for Commission's Consideration
In response to the ongoing spruce dieback caused by drought and bark beetle infestation, the Thuringian government has increased financial aid for private and municipal forest owners to the tune of 20 million euros this year. This is a 4.5 million euro increase from last year's assistance, the Ministry of the Environment reported in Erfurt.
The funding can be utilized for various purposes, such as managing increased personnel costs for monitoring bark beetle infestations, repairing paths, and reforesting damaged areas. The state program grants higher subsidies for new plantations, particularly targeting small forest owners with up to 20 hectares of land.
Environment and Forestry Minister Tilo Kummer, of the BSW party, acknowledged the continued struggle of the forestry sector. "The state needs to support municipal and private forestry operations," he stated, emphasizing the importance of protecting forests and creating climate-resilient forests with diverse, site-adapted tree species.
Last year alone, the state program facilitated approximately 130 hectares of planting and about 120 kilometers of path repairs. Financial aid is also provided to address immediate hazards, such as dying trees along public roads or forest sections adjacent to settlements.
Thuringia has been significantly affected by bark beetle damage, with over 3.4 million cubic meters of damaged timber in 2024 compared to the peak of 5.9 million cubic meters in 2023. The majority of the affected stands are spruce forests. Roughly 180,000 forest owners manage around 40% of the forested area in Thuringia, benefitting from a total state funding of roughly 107 million euros during this period.
For detailed information on the requirements and application processes for financial aid in light of the spruce dieback, interested parties are encouraged to contact local forestry or environmental authorities in Thuringia or refer to official government websites for updates on such initiatives.
- The Community policy should allocate more funds for employing additional personnel in forestry operations, considering the increased need for monitoring bark beetle infestations and managing other related tasks, as part of the response to climate-change issues like the ongoing spruce dieback.
- In light of the ongoing spruce dieback caused by drought and bark beetle infestation, an Employment policy focused on the forestry industry could provide financial assistance for environmental-science professionals who specialize in managing and mitigating the effects of climate-change on forest ecosystems.
- The Employment policy within the finance sector could consider investing in renewable energy solutions that promote the development of energy-efficient infrastructure in forestry operations, in an effort to create climate-resilient forests and contribute to the broader goal of addressing climate-change.
