A new working year gets underway in Brussels: forests feature prominently across many European policies

13 / 10 / 2026

Following the summer break, the European institutions have resumed their work at full pace, with a packed agenda of initiatives that directly or indirectly affect forests and those responsible for managing them. On 16 September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the Union address, in which forest fires and resilience to climate change featured prominently. This is a clear sign that, even in an international context shaped by many other pressing challenges, the future of our forests remains high on the European agenda.

There are currently numerous policy files under discussion at the European Commission. A clear example was the meeting of the European Commission's Civil Dialogue Group on Forestry and Cork, held in Brussels on 7 October, which USSE attended. This is one of the key forums where the sector can make its voice heard and raise its concerns. Topics on the agenda included this year's wildfire season, the evaluation of the Nature Directives, nature restoration, the EU Deforestation Regulation and the future climate framework. These were accompanied by other major policy discussions, including the review of the EU Forest Strategy, renewable energy, the bioeconomy and the next EU budget. Each of these developments will have tangible implications for the day-to-day management of forests in Southern Europe.

Against this backdrop, USSE's work is more important than ever. Working closely with the Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF) and other forest ownership associations based in Brussels, USSE seeks to monitor each policy file and assess its potential impact. Our aim is to ensure that the realities of private forest owners in Southern Europe are represented wherever decisions are made. We are talking about a diverse region characterised by highly fragmented forest ownership and particularly exposed to the effects of climate change.

The challenges are clear. Wildfires are becoming increasingly frequent, widespread and severe, as demonstrated by the 2025 and 2026 fire seasons, not only in Southern Europe but also across the central and northern parts of the continent. Added to this are pests and diseases, which are spreading more rapidly and affecting new species and territories, as well as droughts and other extreme weather events that are testing our forests' ability to adapt.

Nevertheless, we want to face these challenges with determination and optimism. Well-managed forests are part of the solution. They store carbon, regulate the water cycle, protect the soil, support biodiversity and provide spaces for recreation and well-being. They are also the source of timber and other renewable products, which underpin a bioeconomy capable of replacing fossil-based materials and generating quality employment. Above all, forests are a driving force for rural communities: they help retain population, stimulate local economies and keep rural areas alive — territories that, without active management, would be abandoned and become more vulnerable to wildfires.

The key lies in active and sustainable forest management and in recognising the role of forest owners, whose day-to-day work makes these benefits possible for society as a whole. That is why USSE will continue working to ensure that European policies support prevention and resilience. We will also advocate for policies that are realistic, adapted to the diversity of Europe's territories, and that recognise and place greater value on the ecosystem services provided by our forests.

An intensive working year lies ahead, with much at stake. We face it with our usual commitment: to be present wherever the future of forests is being decided and to represent the interests of forest owners in Southern Europe with rigour and determination.

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