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The new legislation criminalizes illegal extraction of minerals.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted at second reading and in general the bill amending certain legislative acts regarding the issue of amber mining.
Oleh Bondarenko, Chairman of Parliament's environmental committee, says the legislation should help take the industry from the shadow.
"The bill's objective is to offer residents of Rivne, Zhytomyr and Volyn regions, who are involved in the illegal amber extraction, a legal alternative by simplifying the procedure for obtaining special permits for subsoil use, as well as to create in Ukraine conditions for the development of the mining industry. At the same time, the purpose of this bill is to consolidate at the legislative level a tougher punishment for illegal mining," the MP added.
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The bill is also aimed at attracting investment and new technology to the industry, raising the living standards of the population residing in amber-rich areas, ensuring environmental protection and restoration of areas affected by mining.
Experts say annual budget losses from illegal gambling, amber production, and deforestation amount to $400 million.