The public hearing was opened by Environmental Protection Committee Chairman Dr Branislav Blazic who underlined the importance of raising windbreaks/shelterbelts and erosion control, outlining the impact of the May floods.
The participants highlighted the need to raise windbreak belts so as to prevent wind erosion especially on the territory of Vojvodina, listing the many problems in the area and suggesting ways to counter them. They concluded that a multidisciplinary approach and cooperation between the relevant ministries and other institutions are crucial, proposing activities that should be pursued such as affirmation of youth organisations, conservationist movement of Serbia (Gorani), boosting the number of inspectorial staff as well as their authority, stepping up the severity of the penalty policies and raising awareness through the media.
Ratko Ristic, tenured professor, vice-dean of scientific research at the Torrent and Erosion Department at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Forestry, Dr Sasa Orlovic, Director of the of the Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment, Nenad Radosavljevic, representative of the Provincial Secretariat for Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, Alen Kis of the Provincial Institute for Nature Conservation and Novica Milojkovic, president of the Gorani movement of Serbia informed the Committee about the importance of raising windbreaks and shelterbelts and erosion control.
The roundtable was attended by MPs, representatives of the of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Environmental Protection Secretariat, non-governmental sector, relevant institutions and the conservationist movement.

The public hearing was organised with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).