**6. Implementation and revisions to the strategy**

As can be imagined, the implementation of such a great change was not without its problems. Perhaps the greatest obstacles that had to be overcome were the lack of knowledge concerning the proposed new management processes on the part of key players, the lack of information concerning the forests and other key factors, and the great difficulty in coordinating the design, development and implementation of so many interrelated programs and actions. In the nine years following the development of the strategy framework, the following pieces have been put in place:

	- http://rimax.xunta.es/VisorRIMAX/Default.aspx

Sustainable Forest Management in Galicia (Spain): Lessons Learned 229

framework has been slow and incomplete. This is more fully explained in the Conclusions

During the same period the aforementioned efforts were being promoted by the government, the Galician private forest sector was under growing pressure to demonstrate SFM and due diligence with respect to legal source procurement. The growing importance of certification in the forest product marketplace and legislative initiatives such as European Regulation (EC) No 1024/2008 (European Commission, 2008), (EU) No 995/2010 (European Parliament, 2010) or Spanish Order Pre/116/2008, (Government of Spain, 2008), have been instrumental in increasing pressure on the private sector in this respect. In addition, the global economic downturn that followed the collapse of major US financial institutions significantly reduced demand for forest products (UNECE/FAO, 2010). SFM, previously considered by many players as a "tool for reaching new markets", suddenly turned into

Despite growing pressures, forest certification schemes have not been very effectively implemented in Spanish forestry in general and in Galician forestry in particular. The share of certified area in Galicia is far below that of most of European countries, as is shown in Figure 2. In 2009, 9% of European forests were certified under PEFC or FSC, but if the Russian Federation is not included then this figure rises to an average of 46%, with several

Fig. 2. Share of Forest Area under SFM certification in different European countries in 2009. Sources PEFC (2011), FSC (2011), FAO (2009). Note that due to difficulties in cross checking

the FSC and PEFC databases, areas certified under both schemes are counted twice.

and Lessons Learned section, below.

**7. SFM and forest certification in the private sector** 

something "compulsory for maintaining declining core markets".

major wood-producing countries having certification rates of 60% or higher.

	- As described in the Galician government document "Decreto 306/2004" (http://www.xunta.es/dog/Publicados/2004/20041229/Anuncio2558E\_es.html) and in subsequent legislation and regulations.
	- http://mediorural.xunta.es/areas/forestal/xestion\_sustentabel/boas\_practicas/
	- http://mediorural.xunta.es/areas/forestal/producion\_e\_industrias/mesa\_da\_ma deira/

Some of the changes to the implementation of the strategy were the result of new regional, national and international reports, protocols, guidelines and proposals that informed and refocused the strategy framework. These included:


One of the critical pieces of the SFM strategy framework that have not been modified (or developed) and tested for the Galician situation, as was originally envisaged, is the IFM system. While this is still considered a critical element of the strategy framework and pieces that feed into it (see Data Infrastructure above) are mostly in place, the development of the IFM itself continues to be delayed.

Finally, though not enacted, a new Forest Law for Galicia is being developed, which would require more formal and effective public participation in the forest management process in the autonomous region. While this was envisaged in the original strategy (see Regional Management Sub-Process above), the fact that such participation was not mandated and institutionalized at the outset of is a major reason why the implementation of the strategy

New instructions for forest management planning have been instituted that are more

 New guidelines for the submission of standardized forest management plan data (consistent with criteria and indicators of sustainability in the EU) have been developed

 As described in the Galician government document "Decreto 306/2004" (http://www.xunta.es/dog/Publicados/2004/20041229/Anuncio2558E\_es.html)

A manual of best management practices (BMPs) has been published for landowners,

 http://mediorural.xunta.es/areas/forestal/xestion\_sustentabel/boas\_practicas/ Preliminary steps have been undertaken to establish the Regional Declaration of Principles of Sustainability, such as its endorsement by the "Mesa de la Madera"

http://mediorural.xunta.es/areas/forestal/producion\_e\_industrias/mesa\_da\_ma

Some of the changes to the implementation of the strategy were the result of new regional, national and international reports, protocols, guidelines and proposals that informed and

 The reports of the 4th and 5th Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe (UNECE, 2003 and UNECE, 2007) held in Vienna and Warsaw, respectively. The EU Forest Action Plan which was adopted in June, 2006 (European Commission, 2006), described at http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/fore/action\_plan/index\_en.htm. The Biomass Action Plan (COM(2005) 628 final – Official Journal C 49 of 28.02.2005) which is described in this European Union document: http://europa.eu/

 Other EU and regional directives and initiatives, such as those related to good governance and public participation supported the direction and approach taken in the new strategy framework. The EU directive on good governance, for example, (http://ec.europa.eu/governance/governance\_eu/index\_en.htm) insists that public participation must be part of the development of national policies, while public participation in environmental plans has been enforced with the endorsement of law 27/2006 in Galicia (http://noticias.juridicas.com/base\_datos/Admin/l27-2006.t3.html). Marey et al (2007) provide a description of the proposed content, structure and

One of the critical pieces of the SFM strategy framework that have not been modified (or developed) and tested for the Galician situation, as was originally envisaged, is the IFM system. While this is still considered a critical element of the strategy framework and pieces that feed into it (see Data Infrastructure above) are mostly in place, the development of the

Finally, though not enacted, a new Forest Law for Galicia is being developed, which would require more formal and effective public participation in the forest management process in the autonomous region. While this was envisaged in the original strategy (see Regional Management Sub-Process above), the fact that such participation was not mandated and institutionalized at the outset of is a major reason why the implementation of the strategy

legislation\_summaries/energy/renewable\_energy/l27014\_en.htm.

consistent with the principles of SFM as outlined in the Strategy;

The Galician Council for Sustainable Forestry has been created;

forest services companies and forest harvesting companies;

and in subsequent legislation and regulations.

(Galician Wood Council") in 2008.

refocused the strategy framework. These included:

processes related to district plans in Galicia.

IFM itself continues to be delayed.

and put in place.

deira/

framework has been slow and incomplete. This is more fully explained in the Conclusions and Lessons Learned section, below.
