A. Forestry experts have called on the European Union to use its powers in order to protect the continent’s woodlands. This follows the publication of a recent report showing that one quarter of Europe’s trees showed signs of severe damage. The experts are asking for wide-ranging action as it now seems clear that Europe’s forests are reaching crisis point.

B. The study examined trees across the whole of Europe and found that they were being damaged throughout the continent. Twenty-six per cent of Europe’s trees had lost significant numbers of leaves, while more than ten per cent showed signs of discoloration.

C. The report also put forward factors such as air pollution and climate change as causes of this environmental problem. Responding to the report, however, a European spokesman said it was too early to be certain about what was causing the widespread damage. The European Commission has begun a more detailed 20-year study which will hopefully produce clearer answers.

D. Francis O’Sullivan, senior forestry officer at the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), pointed out: “While Europe is quick to condemn tropical countries over their forestry policies, it has been ignoring the crisis in its own backyard. Europe now has fewer forests than any other continent except Antarctica, and has less protected woodland than any other region in the world.”

E. “Less than one per cent of our ancient forests remain,” he added. “If this is allowed to continue, the damage to our forest systems will result in a reduction in water quality and will cause a crisis in the fishing, tourist and timber industries, as well as threatening the ecological balance in Europe”.

F. Nigel Dudley, a specialist forestry adviser, says that the forestry industry has made substantial progress in organising a programme of forest management, but in his opinion European governments have not been acting quickly enough. Dudley believes that there is a need for further European action on commitments made at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.

G. Next month the WWF will be reporting on how well governments around the world have kept their Rio summit promises. Most governments are expected to get poor reports. The situation in Europe may, however, be about to improve as the European Parliament is to begin investigating forest protection and may ask for new safeguards to protect the health of Europe’s trees.