The Verkhovna Rada has made an important step to protect the Ukrainian ecology and economy, reinforcing the responsibility for illegal logging and further smuggling of timber. This was stated by Oleksandr Dubinin, MP from UKROP and one of the co-authors of the document, commenting on the adoption of the law “On amendments to some laws of Ukraine on preservation of Ukrainian forests and prevention of the illegal export of raw timber”.
“Unfortunately, the corrupt business in the forest trade found an illegal ‘loophole’ at the customs where the roundwood is sent abroad for smuggling or under the guise of another product. From now, those who are engaged in this will have to take fully responsibility,” stated Oleksandr Dubinin.
In addition, the law obliges the Cabinet of Ministers to develop a comprehensive program for the restoration of Ukrainian forests and to identify prior measures for their restoration.
“I am convinced that first of all it is necessary to conduct an inventory of all forests. After that integrated programs for each region should be developed. Perhaps somewhere it is necessary to completely prohibit deforestation and to plant new trees. Instead, somewhere may be set a limit on such production,” said the UKROP member.
The MP stressed that Ukrainian wood should be processed in Ukraine, and not abroad, since the producing of value-added products will not only bring more revenues to the budget, but also provide citizens with jobs.
“The government should support the domestic manufacturer. Otherwise the lacking strategy for the development of the Ukrainian economy and industry support is leading to the closure of enterprises and poverty,” said Oleksandr Dubinin.
The MP has assumed that Western partners will not be pleased at increasing the responsibility for illegal logging. However, Ukrainian officials should take care first of all of the national interests: “Foreigners want to preserve their forests and use Ukraine as a raw material supplement. But the deputies who protect Ukraine should take care first of all about the cleanliness of our forests and rivers and the work of domestic enterprises”.
As it is known, on July 3 the Verkhovna Rada adopted the law “On amendments to some laws of Ukraine on preservation of Ukrainian forests and prevention of the illegal export of raw timber”. The document greatly strengthens administrative and criminal responsibility for illegal logging and further smuggling of trees.
