Christina Yushkevych: Ukraine needs a national forest strategy

The National Forest strategy, which will be based on the principles of environmental preservation, the introduction of new technologies and preserved local traditions, is needed for the development of the industry. This was emphasized by T. In. At. The head of the state agency of Forest Resources Christina Yushkevych during the visiting session of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Agrarian Policy and land relations.
The meeting took place at the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences on October 19, 2016.
The development of national strategy is the beginning of reforming the forestry industry. But we all understand that the necessary resources for reform, that is why I propose to create the forest fund of Ukraine,-said Khrystyna Yushkevych.
According to T. In. At. Head of the Department, the foundation will help to solve the problem of financing of forest farms of southern and eastern regions, and also provide development of infrastructure and tourism, forestry and reforestation.
In addition, it is reported that the state agency has already developed a draft law, which provides for strengthening of responsibility for violation of rules of conduct in the forest, illegal felling and shadow circulation of wood.
The draft law also provides for the introduction of a unified state electronic accounting system for all permanent forest users and introduction of transparent rules of implementation, as an effective way to fight illegal cuts and shadow market,-added Christine Yushkevych.
etc. In. At. The head of the state forestry described the present state of the forest industry. “Ukraine occupies the eighth place among European countries by the area covered by the land forest-9600 thousand. And the percentage of the wooded is 15.9%,-said Christina Yushkevych.
She emphasized that the main goal is to develop the Forestry fund and increase the percentage of the country’s wooded to an optimal 20%, and the main function of the State forestry is the restoration and creation of forests.
«Goslisogenstvo works on the certification of forests according to the international system FSC. Today the area of certified forests in Ukraine is 3.3 mln. is almost 32% of the forest fund of the country. We continue this work, namely certification shows the potential and sustainable development of forestry,-said T. In. At. Head of the department.
Khrystyna Yushkevych said that despite the difficulties, the branch increases the amount of revenues to the state and local budgets. “Only over the last year the industry has transferred to the budget 3.2 billion UAH of taxes. The industry ensures the work of 50 thous. Citizens, she said.
Experts and experts, who took part in the meeting, emphasized the need for speedy development of the strategy and solving the issue of financing the forestry industry. In particular, the Director of the Scientific Research Institute of Forestry and Agroreclamation named by G. M. Viktor Tkach said that it is necessary to make changes to the budget and tax codes, and to create the forest fund as soon as possible.
Summing up the meeting, MPs of Ukraine-members of the Committee noted that they support the proposed direction of development and are ready to promote the reforming of the forest industry.

Press-Service of State forestry