[en] In Belgium, forest occupies 20 per cent of the total land area. Private forests account for about 52 per cent; they are generally small (averaging about three ha) and their owners are not accustomed to basing their decisions on a management plan. However, some attempts to develop co-operation through forestry associations exist and the regional authorities tend to encourage them. Whatever the details of any possible future legislation may be, the principal aim must be the development and introduction of an extremely simple form of management plan (the so-called 'plan simple de gestion') in exchange for assistance to the private owner.
