Legal and Regulatory Framework Applicable to Small Forest Owners and Sustainable Forest Management is a report prepared as part of the "SMURF" project - funded by the European Union. It is aimed at organizations representing forest owners throughout Europe, participants in the projectIn the implementation of one of the sub-activities, it was necessary to review the report and make all comments and suggestions in a questionnaire form.The goal was to reflect the most truthfully and close to reality the regulatory framework concerning small forest owners and whether sustainable forest management practices are applied. Small forest holdings are those with an area of less than 500 hectares.By reviewing this document, a contribution was made to the preparation of a comprehensive analysis of small forest holdings in Europe, including Bulgaria.The requirement was that the comments provided were based on accurate information, and that the challenges and limitations facing forest owners were correctly presented. An important part of the comments on the report was the opportunity to present local, regional problems and challenges. All comments are provided in English.The basis of the report was the Forestry Act and the by-laws, fully affecting the functioning of the forestry sector in Bulgaria. Review. The “National Strategy for the Development of the Forest Sector of the Republic of Bulgaria until 2030” and the “Strategic Plan for the Development of the Forest Sector 2014 – 2023” were also considered as strategic documents.It states that 38% of the country’s territory is forest, and private forests are 11% of this area. Presented in hectares, it amounts to just over 438,000. This does not include forests on agricultural land. There are over 1.5 million private forest owners in Bulgaria. The report also addresses all rights and obligations of forest owners and what compensations or subsidies they may receive under interventions for the development of rural areas.The report also states that, according to Art. 10 (3) of the Law on Local Taxes and Fees, forest owners are exempt from real estate tax.The National Association of Owners of Private Forests "Gorovladeletz" is mentioned as the only Association that protecting the interests of forest owners.SMURF project website https://www.smurfproject.eu/.Funded by EU #smurfproject #SmallForestHoldings #forestry #forestowners #profitability #smallforestowners #foresteufuture #forestmanagement #sustainability #forestnews #cascadefunding #closetonaturesilviculture
