Ukraine to tighten control over timber production, sales

The State Agency for Forest Resources of Ukraine has issued an order to oblige heads of regional forestry and hunting departments, heads of enterprises, establishments and organizations subordinate to the agency to tighten control over timber production and sales.

"[They should] introduce electronic accounting of timber at forestry enterprises by including information about produced and sold timber should in the electronic system and ensuring the registration of concluded contracts," reads the order quoted by the agency's press service.

Read alsoTimber production in Ukraine declines to 15.9 mcm in 2017 The agency also tasked the relevant bodies to strengthen control over the implementation of timber purchase and sales contracts, concluded as a result of bidding, as well as monitor industrial wood assortment and the share of low-grade wood.

The order obliged the subordinate forestry enterprises to stop timber sales under direct contracts to timber buyers that do not participate in the bidding.

In addition, it is prohibited to sell oak firewood to consumers for industrial and technical needs.

As UNIAN reported earlier, production of merchantable timber by Ukrainian enterprises engaged in forestry management declined by 2.5%, or by 412,000 cubic meters, in 2017, to 15.9 million cubic meters.

In 2017, Ukraine successfully launched timber sales via electronic tenders. The state-owned Forestry Innovation and Analytical Center developed software for the bidding. The agency's task for 2018 is to increase timber sales via the electronic trading platform.