National Forest Programme.

National Forest Programme is a national sectoral programme of the Slovak Republic. Its main objective is to support and enhance sustainable and multi-purpose forest management.
The document aims to support ecological forest management by supporting the development and use of environmentally friendly technologies; and by supporting conservation, improvement and enhancement of biodiversity. Another goal of the document is improving quality of life including by conserving and improving protective functions of forests; and increasing contribution of forests and forestry to development of rural economy. For increasing long-term competitiveness, the Programme targets to increase long-term competitiveness and economic viability of multifunctional forestry; to support research and technological development in order to improve competitiveness of the forestry sector; valuation and marketing of forest non-wood products and services; supporting the use of forest biomass to produce energy; and supporting cooperation of forest land owners and improving education in forestry. For strengthening cooperation, coordination and communication, the document plans to ensure implementation of international commitments related to forests and forestry in pursuing the objectives of the National Forest Programmes; to strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination among policies affecting forests and forestry; to meet justified interests and needs of forest land owners and of the society; to support the use of wood from forests managed in sustainable way; and to support environmental education and systematic work with the public in order to achieve a positive change in perception of forestry by the public.
The Programme also provides for climate change aiming for improvement and protection of the environment by mitigating consequences of climate change and supporting adaptation of forests to impacts of climate change as well as strengthening forest protection and developing forest monitoring.
Responsible agencies for implementation of the Programme are Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic. The Programme recommends the Government to work out and submit an Action Plan of the National Forest Programme by 30 June 2008 together with detailed data included in the Action Plan on forms and sources of funds for approved priorities.