The cantonal forest offices prepare forest management plans for all private forest owners. The importance of the forestry sector is not sufficiently recognized by the actors in forest policy and the public in general (i.e. the draft forestry' programme). This is reflected in the frequent discussions concerning competence between the various administrative and political levels (municipality, canton, Federation), especially with regard to the ownership, control and management of forest resources. The consequences are numerous and negative, from uncontrolled change of use of forestland and illegal activities through lack of intersectoral coordination to the neglect of private forests.