Protection of natural resources: promotion of tropical forests, Community action

The proposal for a regulation defined the objectives and procedures of a Community initiative designed to contribute to the conservation of tropical forestry resources. The Community would provide financial and technical support for activities (studies, field projects, publications, films and seminars) intended to encourage developing countries and their regional organisations to conserve tropical forests. The following were to be priority objectives: - safeguarding forestry resources (analysing the causes of deforestation and initiating activities with the aim of slowing down the rate of deforestation); - sustainable management of designated forests for the production of timber and other products; - involving local populations in the preparation and implementation of the activities to be financed in the framework of the Community initiative; - creating infrastructure to satisfy the need for training, research, legislation and the reinforcement of institutions dedicated to the conservation of forestry resources. The Commission would submit an annual report to the Council and the European Parliament. �