2011年-世界发展银行全球_Romania_-_Functional_Review___Environment_Water_and_Forestry__Volume_2_Forestry_65页_1mb

Summary of Romania's Forestry Sector

Core Content

Romania's forestry sector is a significant part of its natural and renewable resource base, with forests covering 6.65 million hectares or 29% of the country's total land area. These forests are characterized by a mix of broadleaved and coniferous species, with broadleaves making up 70% of the area and conifers 30%. The sector plays a crucial role in the national economy and contributes between 3.5% and 4.5% to GDP over the past decade. It is also a major employer, particularly in rural areas, with a decline in workforce numbers from 235,000 in 2000 to 161,000 in 2009. Romania is a net exporter of forest products, including furniture, sawnwood, and wood-based panels.

Main Points

• Forest Resource and Utilization:

  • Forests account for 29% of Romania’s land area.
  • Approximately 70% of the forest area is available for wood supply.
  • The National Forest Inventory (NFI) is almost complete, which is essential for national and international reporting.
  • The average annual volume increment is 5.4 m³/ha/year, with removals averaging 14.1 million m³/year, representing 46% of the total volume increment.
  • The majority of forest land is in state ownership (50%), with the remaining 50% in non-state ownership, mostly private.
  • Romania is a net exporter of forest products, including furniture and sawnwood.

• Forest Ownership:

  • There are an estimated 830,200 forest owners in Romania.
  • Private forests represent 51% of the total forest area, but they are often small and fragmented, making sustainable management challenging.
  • A forest cadastre is lacking, which hinders consolidation of holdings.
  • Most private owners are new to forestry and require training and advisory support.
  • The forest restitution process has returned land to former owners, but it remains incomplete with no set timeline.

• Forest Management and Regulatory Framework:

  • Romania has a comprehensive but overly prescriptive and complex regulatory framework.
  • The framework includes laws, decrees, ordinances, and ministerial orders.
  • The current system is outdated and lacks flexibility, stifling innovation.
  • The need for revised technical norms is emphasized to align with modern forest management practices.
  • A simplified regulatory regime is required for small private forest areas.

• Resource Infrastructure:

  • The average road density is 6.4 m/ha, significantly lower than other European countries.
  • The harvesting infrastructure is weak, with limited investment in new technology and machinery.
  • SMEs dominate the harvesting sector, but they face challenges due to limited access to finance, lack of continuity, and low profit margins.

• Wood Industry:

  • The wood industry is a major contributor to the economy, with the furniture industry being the largest employer.
  • The sector is facing challenges in terms of funding, implementation, and coordination.
  • The National Rural Development Programme (NPRD) includes ambitious targets for afforestation, infrastructure development, and value addition.

• Strategic Framework:

  • The National Forest Policy and Development Strategy (NFPS) is considered a best practice example but lacks supporting economic analysis, quantifiable targets, and monitoring procedures.
  • A new NFPS is recommended to address current weaknesses and prioritize key issues such as support for private owners, funding for public goods, and a more flexible regulatory framework.
  • The strategic planning process should include a comprehensive Business Process Review (BPR) to align with the changing operating environment and improve efficiency.

• Organisational Structure and Systems:

  • The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) oversees the forestry sector, including the General Directorate for Forestry (GDF).
  • Romsilva, the National Forest Administration, manages 3.3 million hectares of state-owned forests and has a wide range of activities beyond forestry, including hunting and fish farming.
  • Romsilva's organisational structure is traditional, and it faces challenges in adapting to the new market environment.
  • A Business Process Review (BPR) is recommended to re-design key processes and improve efficiency.
  • A separate arm for public goods could be established, but the cost of these services is currently unknown.

• Natura 2000:

  • The implementation of the Natura 2000 network in Romania has been delayed, resulting in limited public consultation and confusion.
  • The system for Forest Management Plans (FMPs) is not fully integrated with Natura 2000 conservation requirements.
  • A national methodology for integrating Natura 2000 priorities into FMPs is needed.
  • The legislation should allow for adapted management plans for Natura 2000 sites.

• Funding:

  • Following EU accession in 2007, funding for the forestry sector is now concentrated through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the MADR budget.
  • The EU has allocated €787 million for forestry measures from 2007 to 2013.
  • Implementation of forestry measures has been slow due to lack of visibility, complexity of application procedures, and institutional capacity.
  • A nationally coordinated plan is needed for afforestation and infrastructure development.
  • Private forest districts should be included in funding for forest roads, and Romsilva should be treated more equitably in future funding criteria.

• Human Resources (HR):

  • The GDF has adequate staffing but lacks skills in areas such as financial analysis, project management, and GIS.
  • Romsilva has a high number of staff by European standards, partly due to the "forest guarding" requirement.
  • There is no HRD strategy or programme, and training is delivered on an opportunistic basis.
  • A career management programme is recommended to support staff development and improve motivation.
  • Training for GDF staff in strategy development, policy formulation, and project management is needed to support the implementation of the new NFPS.

Key Recommendations

• Complete the National Forest Inventory (NFI) and update the data processing system.
• Develop a new National Forest Policy and Development Strategy (NFPS) that includes quantifiable targets, monitoring procedures, and cost-benefit analysis.
• Simplify the regulatory framework for small private forest areas.
• Improve the Forest Management Information and Monitoring System (FMIMS) and develop a strategy for its continued use.
• Enhance the coordination between MARD and MoEF to improve the implementation of forestry measures.
• Include private forest districts in funding for forest roads and ensure equitable treatment in future selection criteria.
• Implement a Business Process Review (BPR) to re-design organisational processes and improve efficiency.
• Develop a national methodology for integrating Natura 2000 conservation requirements into FMPs.
• Establish a comprehensive HRD strategy for both GDF and Romsilva, including continuous training and skills development.
• Consider corporatizing Romsilva to improve governance and independence.
• Address the issue of staff motivation by improving salary levels and reducing isolation from mainstream activities.