The aim of the assignment was to review the legislation and legal frameworks for the cultivation of non-native tree species in Slovenia. In EU, three legal instruments are important for the introduction, use and management of non-native trees: the Council Directive on the marketing of forest reproductive material, Habitats Directive and the Regulation on the prevention and control of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species. In Slovenian legislation, they are regulated with Nature Conservation Act, Decree on Special Protection Areas (Natura 2000 Areas), Forest Act, Forest Reproductive Material Act, Rules on Determining Seed Areas and Decree on Protected Wild Plant Species. We found that the cultivation of non-native trees is not prohibited in Slovenia for the implementation of forestry activities, as immigration is allowed, and the introduction of new species requires the permission of the Ministry. Slovenian legislation thus offers opportunities for the cultivation of non-native tree species that could be crucial in adapting to climate change due to better resilience to biotic and abiotic factors and at the same time, they are economically important due to faster growth and quality wood.
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