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Ownership rights in Estonia Priit Põllumäe Managing director Estonian Private Forest Union CEPF Seminar on Baltic Countries Forestry Brussels, 26.06.2013 Briefly about us... ▪ The EPFU was founded in 1992 ▪ We´re a non-profit making organization ▪ We unite about 30 regional forest owners associations all over Estonia ▪ About 4000 forest owners with ~250 000 ha of forest land ...and about private forest ownership ▪ ~97 000 forest owners in Estonia (0,2 ha < ) from which: ▪ 93 000 private individuals ▪ ~ 1 M ha of private forest ownership, yet fragmented: ▪ average property 10 ha ▪ 56% of NIPF-s own properties between 0,1-5 ha Why ownership rights ▪ Ownership rights as a cornerstone for land management ▪ Land management is a lifestyle, a way and a possibility to live in rural areas ▪ Indeed, we do have the CAP! But.... Viability!! ▪ ….if ownership rights are not recognized or extremely limited viable land management is not possible! Infrastructure ▪ 1,58 ha of land: ▪ you pay land tax ~7-8 € annually ▪ the use is limited! ▪ but you have the right to get compensated 31,6 € cents ▪ Problem recognized by the Chancellor of Justice and the Supreme Court of Estonia! Nature protection ▪ Most importantly – forest owners are not against biodiversity protection ▪ Yet, numerous problems exist! ▪ practically no involvement of landowners in developing measures ▪ Natura support may continue, but what about the other areas? Taxation ▪ Land tax ▪ Income tax for NIPF owners is an incredible burden! ▪ deductions allowed but only for three years after a harvest ▪ an extremely difficult set of paperwork involved ▪ the system does not encourage forest owners to invest back into the land Hunting ▪ We have a new Hunting Act!! ▪ Forest owners might get a 10% compensation for damages that might occur ▪ Landowners representatives are involved in regional Hunting Councils (decisions made by consensus) ▪ No obligations for the hunters to make contracts with the landowners To conclude ▪ In many cases the situation and problems among all Baltic countries are very similar ▪ If ownership rights are not acknowledged or very limited the viability of land management is under threat If it is not viable... ▪ … we may as well forget the development of rural areas and the availability of sustainable, natural resources and their management It comes down to... ▪ … a decision: how to implement?! ▪ the reality is: educate and trust forest owners and they will provide timber, infrastructure, biodiversity, clean water, food, non-timber products etc. much more cheaper! [email protected] www.erametsaliit.ee