The state suffered losses in the amount of more than UAH 1 billion due to illegal deforestation in Ukraine, Head of the State Forest Resources Agency Andriy Zablotsky has said.
“State losses [from illegal logging] amount to more than UAH 1 billion. A significant part of the market is in the shadow, and electronic accounting aims to remove this powerful market from the shadow,” he said during a meeting with the prime minister and representatives of the territorial bodies of the State Forest Agency in Kyiv.
According to Zablotsky, it is planned to introduce criminal liability for the sale of trees without tags.
In addition, in accordance with the goals of the government, it is planned to increase the forest cover of Ukraine by 20%.
The agency is developing a bill on forest inventory for its further use on the basis of new rules.
Zablotsky also noted that the agency plans to raise the question before the government and the Verkhovna Rada about raising state funding, which today makes up 5% of the demand and is critical in certain issues.
As reported, Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk instructed the head of the State Forest Agency as soon as possible to ensure the operation of online sites in the wood turnover market and to launch the electronic centralized accounting of wood by February 1, 2020.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk has reported that 1,399 illegal fuel stations have halted their operation, as a part of campaign on combating illegal patrol market. “In total, State Fiscal Service, National Police and Security Service of Ukraine carried 2,200 inspections. Information about 1,399 illegal fuel stations has been verified: 377 halted its operation, 316 were demounted or are absent according their location area, 243 were demounted for the reporting period, 463 registered license,” he wrote on Telegram on Friday.
According to the premier, 4,000 tonnes of fuel and lubricants worth UAH 93.4 million have been withdrawn, and equipment worth UAH 94.2 million has been withdrawn as well.
Previously Honcharuk charged the State Fiscal Service and law enforcement agencies with settlement of illegal fuel circulation by January 9, 2020.
On Tuesday, July 2, at 12.30, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference devoted to possible illegal seizure of harvest of Danish DFU Agro (subsidiary of Dan-Farm Ukraine LLC). Participants include: Director of DFU Agro LLC Vadym Shestakov, representatives of the Zhytomyr Regional Administration, representatives of the Danish Embassy in Ukraine, and representatives of leading business associations (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration of journalists requires press accreditation.
