As a property agency specialising in the sale and valuation of character properties, as well as agricultural and forestry land, for over 100 years, we aim to provide the best possible support to property owners and guide them towards reliable partners.
In this article, we will explore the key roles played by the Royal Belgian Forestry Society (SRFB), the NTF Association and the National Federation of Forestry Experts (FNEF) in supporting the management of agricultural and forestry estates. These three organisations have established themselves as valuable allies for forest and agricultural landowners, offering invaluable support and sound advice.
The Royal Belgian Forestry Society (SRFB) supports the promotion, protection and sustainable management of forests.
Founded in 1893, the Royal Belgian Forestry Society is dedicated to the promotion, protection and sustainable management of forests. Its main aim is to encourage its members to adopt high-quality and sustainable forestry practices, whilst providing them with in-depth training in forest management techniques. The association covers all aspects of forestry and pays particular attention to adapting forests to the challenges posed by climate change. The SRFB is based on four core values that guide its actions: expertise, trust, camaraderie and sustainability.
The services offered by the SRFB
If you are a member of the organisation, you have access to four services, as well as a host of other benefits.
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Stay up to date
You have access to *Silva Belgica*, a bimonthly journal covering silviculture and forestry news in Belgium. You will also receive the SRFB newsletter in your inbox.
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Take part in training courses
Join other members on field trips, coaching sessions, personalised training courses and ForêtFor programmes.
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Obtain PEFC certification
As a key point of contact, the SRFB offers valuable support and advice to forest owners wishing to obtain PEFC certification, which guarantees the sustainable management of forest resources. Thanks to its expertise and close collaboration with stakeholders in the forestry industry, the SRFB facilitates the certification process and promotes good forest management practices amongst private forest owners in Wallonia.
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Insure your woodland plots
The company offers you third-party liability insurance specifically designed to cover risks associated with forestry, as well as suitable fire insurance.
Become a member of the SRFB
Are you planning to join the SRFB and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer? All you need to do is complete the online form.
By becoming a member of the SRFB, you also have the opportunity to join and benefit from the services of the association «NTF – Propriétaires ruraux de Wallonie» or «Landelijk Vlaanderen», depending on whether your property is located in Wallonia or Flanders.
Amifor insurance against forest fires
Amifor is a mutual insurance company specialising in protection against forest fires. It offers insurance cover to both private and public forest owners to protect them against the risk of fire affecting their woodland. By choosing Amifor, forest owners benefit from insurance tailored to their specific needs, guaranteeing robust protection in the event of a fire. This initiative was set up with the aim of supporting foresters by offering them insurance tailored to their activity, based on a spirit of solidarity and risk-sharing.
The NTF association: a partner of choice for farm owners.
The Nature, Terres et Forêts (NTF) association, founded in 2003, is dedicated to representing and defending the interests of owners of rural properties such as forests and agricultural land in Wallonia. Faced with an ever-changing, increasingly complex and regulated environment, NTF is committed to defending the moral and material interests of landowners in dealings with policy-makers and stakeholders in the rural sector. Its aim is to ensure the sustainable management of rural land assets, taking into account economic, social, environmental and cultural aspects.
The role and objectives of NTF
NTF plays a vital role in representing rural landowners, ensuring that their voices are heard and providing advice to its members. The association has achieved significant successes thanks to a policy of dialogue with all stakeholders in the rural sector.
Some notable successes achieved by NTF in negotiations on behalf of rural landowners in Wallonia:
Natura 2000
NTF’s commitment and perseverance have led to a simplification of the procedures required to implement this legislation in practice.
Compensation for forests located within Natura 2000 sites
A payment of €40 per hectare has been secured, which complements the tax benefits granted to all land within the designated areas (exemption from property tax, inheritance tax and gift tax for agricultural land and forests). Furthermore, NTF offers personalised support to forest owners in implementing Natura 2000 on their land, by providing information and administrative assistance.
Increase in rent coefficients
Thanks to NTF’s efforts, rent coefficients rose by an average of 35% over three three-year periods, even before the Minister amended the rent indexation system!
Inheritance and gift tax
The association’s active involvement in the negotiations on the 2008 Forestry Code led to the abolition of inheritance and gift tax on the value of forest stands. This avoids the payment of taxes which, even amongst direct heirs, provide an incentive to carry out premature felling in order to meet these costs.
The Members’ Toolkit
The toolkit is an exclusive benefit for members, offering a wide range of practical tools for owners of forests or agricultural land in Wallonia.
It includes, in particular, documents and standard contracts, as well as the texts of the main laws currently in force. You will also find information on price guides, market rates and markets, which will help you estimate the value of your property in the event of damage caused by wildlife.
In addition, the toolkit offers the opportunity to take part in group buying schemes, allowing you to benefit from special offers on certain products or services.
Become a member of the NTF association
If you would like to join the association to have your rights as a Walloon rural landowner upheld and to enjoy all the benefits it offers, simply complete the online membership form.
The National Federation of Forestry Experts: forestry and timber professionals working on behalf of landowners
Forestry experts, who are members of the National Federation founded in 1958, are tasked with developing, representing and defending the interests of their profession. The FNEF aims to ensure compliance with ethical standards and to maintain a register of qualified experts. The Federation also represents its members in dealings with the authorities at regional, national and international levels.
Who are the FNEF’s experts?
All the experts hold a degree in Agricultural Engineering or Bioengineering, specialising in Water and Forests. They also work as independent forestry experts or are employed by a private organisation whose main activities take place in private forests.
How can the experts help you?
They will be able to offer you assistance and advice on reforestation projects or the regeneration of stands that are more resilient to climate change. In addition to the regeneration grant you may be eligible for, the Region offers further support to enable you to draw on the expertise of specialists to ensure that projects are tailored to the objective of resilience. This grant can cover up to 80% of the specialists’ fees. The conditions for receiving this support can be found on the OEWB website.
Forestry experts are also on hand to assess your Natura 2000 sites and advise you on measures to help preserve and enhance them. They can guide you on management activities requiring authorisation, depending on the plot’s Natura 2000 classification. Furthermore, they can help you complete the Area Declarations (DS) in order to obtain financial compensation linked to the implementation of Natura 2000. The management measures can be viewed via the link provided.
But also:
- draw up management plans and map your heritage; ;
- forestry investment adviser; ;
- to carry out valuations of forest plots and properties in connection with purchases, sales, inheritance, gifts, the dissolution of joint ownership, the formation of forestry groups, etc.; ;
- assessing losses: natural disasters, operational losses, compulsory purchase, damage caused by game, etc.; ;
- to defend in court.
Forestry experts are skilled and dedicated professionals, ready to offer their knowledge and expertise to support you in all your forestry projects, from the conservation of biodiversity to the sustainable management of resources. You can find the list of forestry experts who are members of the FNEF on their website.