Skogsvård eller risk för skogsförstörelse? : En utredning av avskogningsförordningens betydelse för den biologiska mångfalden i svenska skogar

Sammanfattning

This thesis discusses the relation between the EU Deforestation Regulation, Swedish forestry according to the Swedish Forestry Act, and the protection of biodiversity in forests outside protected areas. Few forests remain in Sweden that lack indications of human activities. However, many forests still maintain high ecological values and as such, are in dire need of preservation. While national and international targets on conserving and restoring forest biodiversity are far from being met in Sweden, forestry is expanding and is one of the main causes of the loss of forest biodiversity. The discussion is based on the prohibition in Article 3 of the Deforestation Regulation, which requires that logging be done without inducing forest degradation and in accordance with national legislation. A mere risk that these requirements are not fulfilled is also of importance to whether forest products are allowed to be placed on the market. Hence, based on an analysis of current law as well as the management of the protection of forest biodiversity, an evaluation is made of whether Swedish forestry meets the requirements of the Regulation. First, it is concluded that forest degradation probably occurs in Sweden, though to which extent is yet uncertain; the definition of forest degradation leaves a margin of interpretation, and large parts of Swedish forests may well already be deemed degraded. Second, it is concluded that compliance with species protection in the forest is insufficient, making it likely that the requirement on production to be in accordance with national legislation is not being fulfilled. Finally, it is emphasised that the risk of non-fulfilment of the requirements in Article 3 is more than negligible for Swedish forest products, based on the insufficiencies identified in the regulatory system as well as in the management pertaining to forest biodiversity.