On November 25, 2024, the Laboratory of Economic Theory and Bioeconomy held a meeting together with FACE, Europarc, the Estonian State Forest Management Center and ELO!

   On November 25, the Laboratory of Economic Theory and Bioeconomy of the NULES of Ukraine held a meeting together with FACE, Europarc, the Estonian State Forest Management Center and ELO.
   The Head of the Department of Economic Theory, Mykola Talavyria, delivered a report: Strictly Protected Areas in the EU Biodiversity Strategy until 2030.
   The Laboratory of Economic Theory and Bioeconomy held 52 meetings, together with the Faculty of Agricultural Management outlined new research prospects, further development and implementation of the bioeconomy development strategy in Ukraine until 2050.
   On November 14, the parliament agreed to postpone the EU Regulation on Combating Deforestation (EUDR) for a year, but also adopted amendments to the text. The most significant was the creation of a ‘no risk’ category. With just a month to go before the rules enter into force on 30 December, the Council is following the Commission’s line, insisting on a no-change delay to ensure predictability and because of the potential legal uncertainty of the amendments. A view that MEP Schneider (DE, EPP), who is leading the Parliament’s negotiating team, will see as blocking the possibility of improving the legislation.
   The European Commission organised a two-day workshop on ‘Strictly protected areas in the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030’, which aimed to clarify the concept of strict protection. Given the difficulties in securing commitments on the targets of 30% protected areas and 10% strictly protected areas, the EC focused on revising the Commission Staff Working Document, which contains criteria and guidance for the designation of areas. Despite contributions from various stakeholders, including FACE, Europarc, the Estonian State Forest Management Centre and ELO, the workshop did not offer any further clarity. ELO stressed that strict protection should only apply to public land, should be adapted over time and legal certainty is crucial. We also stressed that nature is dynamic and shaped by human activities, which means that active management is important. Risk management schemes are needed to combat climate change and invasive species.
   Following the report on the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, DG AGRI organised a first discussion on two recommendations:
1) the establishment of a pan-European benchmarking system as a new approach to sustainability to support farmers in decarbonisation and biodiversity conservation, and
2) the European Terrestrial Observatory, which took place on 7 November.
   Both issues were raised in the hearings of incoming Commissioner Hansen, and if we are to believe him, he wants to present his vision at the end of January.
   EU Food System Monitoring Framework: Striving for Balance? The JRC recently presented a revised EU Food System Monitoring Framework. Although the framework focuses on sustainability, it remains largely biased towards environmental sustainability and primary production, while economic and social aspects, as well as the wider elements of the food chain, are underrepresented. In the upcoming public consultations, ELO will highlight that neglecting profitability threatens food security. For truly comprehensive sustainability, we demand balanced indicators across all dimensions and greater transparency along the entire food chain. For more information, please contact Laura Tikoiu. A new trend in the development of the laboratory is the involvement of students, schoolchildren, postgraduates, scientific and pedagogical workers in the implementation of startups, scientific projects and international cooperation with other foreign universities. Head of the Department of Economic Theory Mykola Talavyria noted that the basis for the report: Strictly Protected Areas in the EU Biodiversity Strategy until 2030 was close cooperation within the framework of our relations, which have recently turned 12 years old.

Mykola Talavyria,
D.Sc. (Economics), Professor