Photo from UNIAN
The document will come into force on January 1, 2019.
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has adopted in the second reading Bill No. 5495 to amend legislation on the preservation of Ukrainian forests and prevention of the illegal exports of unprocessed timber.
On July 3, the draft law was backed by 234 MPs with the required minimum being 226 votes.
According to the relevant changes to the Criminal Code of Ukraine, smuggling of unprocessed timber of valuable and rare species of trees, as well as timber banned for exports, shall be punishable by imprisonment for up to five years.
The same actions that have been committed repeatedly or by conspiracy by a group of persons or an official using their authority and official position, or at a large scale, are punishable by imprisonment for a term up to 10 years, with deprivation of the right to occupy certain positions for three years and with confiscation of property.
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If such actions are committed by an organized group or at a particularly large scale, imprisonment for 10 to 12 years is envisaged, with deprivation of the right to occupy certain positions or engage in certain activities for three years and with confiscation of property.
Moreover, illegal felling of trees or shrubs in forests, as well as their transportation, storage, and sale entails a fine of 1,000 to 1,500 non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens or a 6-month detention, 3-year custodial restraint, or 3-year imprisonment.
The Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses also stipulates an increase in fines for illegal felling, damage and destruction of forest crops, destruction or damage to green plantations or other landscaping objects not attributed to the forest fund within and outside settlements.
The consumption of domestic unprocessed timber must not exceed 25 million cubic meters per year.
The document shall come into force on January 1, 2019.