Trends and some problems of forestry and forest industry in Germany

Forest policy of Japan has come to a turning point. There is now a demand for forest policy to shift its emphasis from timber production to provision of opportunities for recreation and the protection and conservation of the environment. This paper analyzes the trends in forestry and the forest industry in Germany since the early 1970's. Since Germany is advanced in forestry, there are many aspects in German forestry and forest policy from which we can learn a great deal. The results analyzed are as follows: 1. The national movement for the protection and conservation of the environment which arose in the 1960's has significantly influenced her forest policy. The Forest Law, enacted in 1975, emphasizes provision of opportunities for recreation in forests and environmental protection functions. In recent years, the aim of forest management is to maintain forests as close as possible to their natural conditions, considering the importance of ecosystems. 2. The profitability of forest management is declining along with a drop in the relative price of timber. Income from the sale of timber can no longer cover the cost of forest management. Currently, various researchs regarding financial aid to forest management are under way in Germany. 3. Acid rain, which began to appear in the early 1980's, is seriously damaging forests. Fifty-three percent of the forest area in Germany has been damaged in some way. The federal government has taken various measures against acid rain damage since 1984. 4. The development of lumbering technology has allowed thinned timber to be used as lumber material since the mid-1970's. Today, timber with a diameter of 10 cm or more is made into lumber. 5. While Germany is importing forest products, its forest industry is based on the domestic forestry. As timber production has been increasing gradually recently, the forest industry is developing. 6. West Germany and East Germany were reunified in October 1990. The shift to capitalism from socialism is taking place in the regions which used to be East Germany. How to establish the forest ownership system and the forest management system are questions to be solved regarding forest policy in the former East German regions