EUSTAFOR has a new President!

During the European Sate Forest Association’s general assembly last week the CEO of ÖBf Austria, Dr. Georg Erlacher, was elected as EUSTAFOR’s new President. He replaces Mr. Pierre-Olivier Drège, CEO of ONF France.

“The forest is an element which unifies Europe,” stated Mr. Erlacher upon his appointment, “because in each European country there are forests. These forests are a symbol for Europe, because they do not know borders and exist independently of national state lines.”

At the same time, Mr. Hannu Jokinen, Director of Forestry at Metsähallitus Finland, was elected to be the new Vice-President.

Mr. Pascal Viné, CEO of ONF France, has joined the Executive Committee.

EUSTAFOR was established in 2006 for the purpose of protecting the interests of European State Forests. The Austrian Federal Forests were one of the four initial members. Today, the association includes 27 members from 20 European countries and represents a surface of approximately 45 million hectares, of which over a quarter covers protected areas. All members are committed to and certified for sustainable forestry management. EUSTAFOR members together employ approximately 100.000 people. The Association’s headquarters are located in the European Forestry House in Brussels.

The Assembly also adopted its policy priorities and EUSTAFOR’s working plan for 2011.