Miscellaneous Instruments

Abstract Regulation (EC) No. 2152/2003 concerns Monitoring of Forests and Environmental Interactions in the Community (Forest Focus). It establishes a Community scheme for broad-based, harmonized, and comprehensive long-term monitoring of the condition of forests. Its objectives, <i>inter alia, </i>are: to continue and further develop monitoring of air pollution and its effects, monitoring of forest fires and their causes and effects; to prevent forest fires; and to assess the requirements for and develop the monitoring of soils, carbon sequestration, climate change, and biodiversity, as well as the protective functions of forests. The duration of the scheme is four years from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2006. The financial framework for its implementation during this period is €61 million, of which €9 million can be used for fire prevention measures, with the <i>proviso </i>that the financial resources will be increased in the case of accession of new Member States to the European Union (EU).