POLAND FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT

The EIB project will support afforestation, improved forest management and protection, and small-scale rural and agricultural infrastructure. Specific, long-term orientated Rural Development Programme measures will be included, together with selected elements of the State Forests National Forest Holding’s (Lasy Panstwowe) multiannual investment programme.

The operation will target selected elements of 8 Rural Development Programme measures from Axes 1, 2 and 3 plus Technical Assistance. The measures are defined according to Council Regulation (EC) No 16982005 of 20 September 2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) (OJ L 277/1 of 21 October 2005); and Annex III to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1974/2006 of 15 December 2006 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 on support for rural development by the EAFRD (OJ L 368/15 of 23 December 2006.

The operation is expected to deliver multiple environmental benefits. Certain activities included in the overall project may require an EIA subject to judgment of competent authority, in accordance with Annex II of EIA Directive (85/337/EEC). Where an action may affect a Natura 2000 site (designated according to Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC / Birds Directive 79/409/EEC), the Bank requires the promoter to follow the directives’ procedures as transposed into national law.

The procurement procedures to be employed will be reviewed by the Bank’s services, to ensure compliance with the EIB’s Procurement Guidelines. Where the Beneficiary is a public administration entity, it will be required to follow the EU public procurement rules (2004/18/EC) including publication of contract notices in the EU Official Journal as implemented by national law. Compliance with these Directives will be confirmed at appraisal.