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"Oh had I only more forest"




HANS GMEINER Vienna (SN). "Some already say, 'Oh I'd have just more of the forest'." Rudolf Rosenstatter from Salzburg, Austria and chairman of the Forest Association to representatives of 60,000 forest owners, is happy. Just for proclaimed by the UN Year of the forest it is with the Austrian forest and timber industry back up. After a decade of setbacks that began in 2002 with the hurricane Kyrill, it holds again confidence. "We have overcome the crisis," says Felix Montecuccoli, president of the local forestry office. The

Timber prices attract some time. "Wood is back in fashion and is also paid," says Montecuccoli. The prices for sawlog, which already stagnated at 60 euros per cubic meter, have reached back 90 euros, fiber and pulpwood cost 36 euros. Montecuccoli: "We are at least back where we were four years ago."

Now, they hope that this continues. "We are confident that the prices would increase further," Bauer says chamber President Gerhard Wlodkowski.

This is good though not everyone in the industry, which signaled on Monday with a joint appearance at a press conference agreement. In particular, the wood processors are worried and warn of a shortage of raw materials and high prices. The urge to push the agricultural policy, the use of wood for energy continues, you're confronted with reserved. "It would be a mistake for wood directly from the forest is in the oven," warns Laszlo Döry, representing the recording industry, in exuberant plans.

These are not the only concern faced by the industry has. Still can use to do the small forest left. The infrastructure, especially the forest road network, hardly meets the current requirements.

is also the unresolved dispute with the ÖBB subsidiary Rail Cargo Austria, the transport rates will increase by 30 percent. Instead of 200 000 cars then you would need for timber transport trucks 400 000 "Such a shift from rail to road would be a fiasco," fears of Agriculture and Environment Minister Niki Berlakovich. He expects way by Transport Minister Doris Bures.

The forestry and timber industry is behind the tourism industry the second largest foreign exchange earner in Austria and offers 280,000 people work and income. In many areas (plates, hall) is one of the world leaders. "The aim must be to increase the value further," says Berlakovich. The foundations are, it should not. In the past 25 years the growth of native forest around 111 000 hectares. Only in Salzburg, the increase was 25,000 hectares.


Salzburger Nachrichten - Economy 11th January 2011