This was the main topic of discussion last week during working groups on the reform of the forestry, woodworking, and furniture industries, held at the initiative of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Economic Development in Ternopil and Khmelnytskyi regions.

Among the issues discussed were rising raw material prices, labor shortages, and the need to increase the supply of timber on the market.

According to MP Ihor Marchuk, reforming the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process is a key factor in ensuring stable timber supply for the economy:

“We need systemic changes in this area so that environmental initiatives do not hinder economic development…”, noted Ihor Marchuk.

“Together with lawmakers, business associations, and market participants, we reached a common position on the need to change the approach to the EIA procedure in the forestry sector. The excessive regulation of the current EIA restricts timber harvesting, leads to spoilage and losses of products that could meet the demand of the processing industry. These changes should have a positive impact on increasing the efficiency of the Ukrainian economy and strengthening Ukrainian exports,” said Yuliia Plyska, Director of the GR and Corporatization Department of SE “Forests of Ukraine.”

The draft law “On the Timber Market,” which is currently being prepared for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, aims to address most of these issues.

SFE “Forests of Ukraine” consistently supports the main provisions of the draft law, which are aimed at maintaining a transparent system for timber sales and supporting Ukrainian producers.