Forest fires: Forestry cooperatives demand prevention measures as early as the 2027 Finance Bill

Following the fires of recent weeks, the French Union of Forestry Cooperatives (UCFF) is calling on the government to include resources dedicated to forest fire prevention in the draft budget law (PLF) for 2027. The professional organization reports that more than 35.000 hectares of forest have burned in just a few days.

This request comes after the announcement by Monique Barbut, Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity and International Negotiations on Climate and Nature, of a "major investment plan for French forests".

For the UCFF, this plan must primarily fund actions carried out before fires break out: access to forested areas, forestry work, brush clearing, thinning, and trail maintenance. According to the organization, these interventions reduce the amount of combustible vegetation, break up its continuity, and facilitate access for emergency services.

Expand fire protection equipment

The first proposal from the Forestry Cooperatives concerns the financing and extension to all forest areas of forest fire protection equipment (DFCI) and forest access roads.

These infrastructures must allow emergency services to access affected areas more quickly in the event of a fire or accident. The UCFF is requesting that their funding be included in the 2027 Finance Bill, as well as in the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) programming, currently under discussion at the European level.

This request is part of a context where Nine out of ten forest fires are caused by humans., according to data cited by the government in its 2026 national prevention campaign.

Clarifying the law applicable to forestry work

The second proposal concerns the relationship between forest maintenance work and regulations relating to protected species.Article L. 411-1 of the Environmental Code It notably includes the protection of animal and plant species as well as their habitats.

According to the UCFF, certain interpretations of this article could delay or prevent forestry work deemed necessary for fire prevention, particularly brush clearing. The organization therefore calls for clarification of the legal framework to ensure the safety of operations carried out by managers, operators, and forestry contractors.

“We cannot force foresters to maintain their forests and at the same time prohibit them from carrying out this essential work. The confusion surrounding the implementation of legal brush clearing obligations (OLD) is proof of this. A managed and maintained forest is better protected against fires.” alert Tammouz Eñaut Helou, forestry engineer and general secretary of the UCFF – Les Coopératives Forestières.

Aid for forest regeneration is also central to the requests

The organization is also calling for the restoration of resources dedicated to forest regeneration. On July 15, 2026, the Council of State annulled the decree of May 2, 2025, which established a system of subsidies for forest regeneration. The court ruled that this text should have been subject to public consultation due to its environmental impact.

“The plan announced by the Minister could be an opportunity, provided that sustainable forest management is revitalized, particularly on the 6.000.000 hectares of private forests lacking any sign of management. While aid for forest regeneration is being called into question with the cessation of funding and the recent annulment of the decree by the Council of State, we request that the 2027 budget once again translate this ambition into concrete measures to help foresters actively maintain their forests.” declares Bertrand Servois, president of the UCFF – Forestry Cooperatives.

An organization representing 120.000 homeowner families

The UCFF (Union of French Forestry Cooperatives) states that it brings together 12 forestry cooperatives and 120.000 families of cooperative members. These families are supported in the sustainable management of 2,2 million hectares of forest and in the harvesting and marketing of over 7 million cubic meters of timber per year, representing 20% ​​of national production. The cooperatives also claim responsibility for 40% of reforestation efforts in France and employ 1.500 people.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.