Forests, Forestry and Forest Policy in Switzerland: Basic Information and Institutional Framework

Abstract

"This document is the extended version of the Forestry Case Study Switzerland (Arbeitsberichte Internationale Reihe Nr. 99/1) which has been prepared as a contribution to the Silva teaching module 'Forestry in Changing Societies in Europe'. The purpose of the document is: - to provide basic information and references on forests, the forest sector and wood processing sector for comparative country studies - to present an outline of recent policy developments that have been induced by a wide range of private and public demands as well by the citizens evolving perceptions and attitudes - to highlight specific conditions and peculiarities of forestry in Switzerland in order to facilitate comparative analyses with other countries.

"Generally the paper should serve the reader and in particular the students to continue with their own investigation on the variety of forest conditions, country specific policy objectives and instruments as they exist in Europe. We thank Georg Iselin and Thomas Volken, assistants at the chair, for their help in preparing the report."