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

OBJECTIVE: Laying down the objectives and rules for implementation of a Community operation in support of the conservation of tropical forest resources. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Regulation (EC) No 3062/95 on operations to promote tropical forests. SUBSTANCE: The Community will provide financial support (non refundable aid) or technical expertise for operations which encourage the efforts of developing countries and their regional organizations to conserve the tropical forests (studies, land projects, publications, films, seminars). - The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme is ECU 200 m for a period of four years (1996-1999); - Priority will be given to operations aimed at promoting: .conservation of primary tropical forests and their biodiversity (analysis of the causes of deforestation and operations to slow deforestation); .sustainable management of forests designated for the production of timber and other products; .provision of prior information to forest peoples, followed by their support for the identification and planning of action to be funded; .capacity-building to address the needs for training, research, legislation and strengthening institutions which seek to safeguard forest resources; .a strategic research policy supplying the knowledge required for the conservation and sustainable management of forests; .development of buffer zones to assist the conservation or regeneration of tropical forests; .development and implementation of forest management plans. - The operations to be carried out shall be preceded by reports on their ecological, social and cultural impact, with qualitative or quantitative objects; this shall also apply to evaluation of the operations carried out; - funding guidelines will be published for organizations which intend to submit project proposals. - The Commission will submit to the EP and the Council an annual report with an assessment of the implementation of the regulation. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 1 January 1996. �