Ou sont les arbres?

We can't help but notice the large scale deforestation that is taking place in Limousin currently.
Each time we visit we see even greater swathes of trees being chopped and stacked by the roadsides.
Our French farmer neighbour has advised me that much of this woodland is privately owned and that a lot of the wood is for the paper industry. At times of economic difficulty the trees get cut more as times are hard. How true this is I don't know.
I always imagined that the French have a common sense, resilient and sustainable approach towards forestry management. Indeed when Iook around me I feel that this is the case.
I hope that this is just part of a managed forestry plan and that there are regulations in place to protect the beautiful countryside.
Can anyone set me straight? Am I barking up the wrong tree?