Commission defends EU forest strategy before MEPs

The European Commission has defended its involvement in the forestry sector in the European Parliament as MEPs disputed its right to legislate in the area.

During a debate on Monday, EU agriculture commissioner Phil Hogan admitted that questions around the Commission’s competence over forestry – a policy area absent from EU treaties – were “rightly” asked. He faced questioning by members of the agriculture, environment and industry committees on progress made on the EU forest strategy presented by the Commission in 2013.