National dialogue on Forestry reform took place in Kyiv

Uchorai at the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine took place the national dialogue "Forestry reform: Perspectives and Consequences".

The event is organized by the State agency of forest Resources of Ukraine under the auspices of the United Nations and is the contribution of Ukraine to the Warsaw integrated work program of the Forestry and Forestry section of the European Economic Commission UN/FAO.

According to Volodymyr Bondar, deputy head of the state authorities, the question of reforming and development of forestry has been discussed for the last two years. Different models of reformation were developed. The forest sector needs a software document to determine the position of the State on the forests, their values and directions of forestry development.

Ukraine's lisivnyky, as well as public organizations, confidently oppose the concession in forestry. This is our firm position and we believe that the provision for impossibility of concession must be present in the timber industry software document, Volodymyr Bondar said.

In addition, there is an open question of possible creation of a single business entity. Today, according to experts, the creation of a single economic entity in the forestry of Ukraine is not appropriate, given the consequences of this variant for the state:

-In the re-registration of the real rights to a new company, a significant part of the State property will be lost to the State;

-Simplification for privatization. All forestry enterprises today are protected by the State from privatization, and the protection from the transfer of a joint-stock company will not be. In addition, in order to pass the immovable property of state forestry enterprises to the newly created business entity will need to withdraw forestry enterprises on the prohibition of privatization, which will lead to their full or partial Destruction even before the transfer of a joint stock company;

-The stop of forestry activity after liquidation of forestry enterprises at least for 2-3 years;

-Optimization of management will reduce the state of the enterprises that will promote the growth of social tension, as the state forestry enterprises are the main and in most cases the only employer in the rural areas. Liquidation of State forestry enterprises will inevitably lead to the loss of qualified specialists.

According to the deputy chairman of the state forestry Vladimir Bondarya, among the priority steps necessary for improvement of forestry, are:

-Decision of financial support of forestry enterprises in the east and south of the country;

-National Forest inventory;

-Improvement of the wood market.

We are working on solving these issues. I want to thank my colleagues from the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Agrarian Policy and land relations for their support and understanding – 7 bills have been introduced this year, aimed at improving forestry activities. But this is just the beginning of the way. In turn, the normative base, which requires an urgent renewal, in particular, in relation to carrying out sanitary-and-hygienic traffic in the forests of Ukraine without the occasion of timely their carrying out, we lose not only the technical quality of wood harvesting, but also promote the expansion of cells Pests. It also requires further normalization of the gradual and selective systems of the main use, referring to the gradual rejection of the continuum,-said Vladimir Bondar.

Deputy Director General of the State Forestry Company "Forests of Poland" Mr. Tomasz Zawiła-Niedźwiecki emphasized that the Polish Forestry Fund, which accumulates funds for the forest industry, helps in time and qualitatively carry out forestry. This is the reforestation, and the protection of forests and more.

In his turn, Mr. Volodymyr Bondar, deputy chairman of the State Committee, said that the draft laws on creation of the Forestry Development Fund were developed and submitted to Parliament.

"The experience of Poland shows that the existence of such a financial forest fund is a guarantee of forestry development." And the president of Ukraine in his decree gave the order to create such fund in Ukraine. Draft laws are already in Parliament. We will actively prove and discuss the need to create it with all stakeholders,-said Vladimir Bondar.

Among the participants of the event were representatives of the Forestry and Forestry section of the European Economic Commission of the UN/FAO, the State forestry holding forests of Poland, the German-Ukrainian agrarian policy dialogue, the Society of Forestry of Ukraine, Association of Woodworkers of Ukraine, European business Association, scientists.

More http://dklg.kmu.gov.ua/forest/control/uk/publish/article?art_id=193604&cat_id=32888