Russia Hoping for Finnish Cooperation in Battle Against Illegal Timber Exports

A meeting between representatives of the Russian Ministry for Natural Resources and a delegation from Finland's parliament, devoted to the organisation and management of Russia's timber business, was held yesterday in Moscow. The ministry was represented by First Deputy Minister for Natural Resources Valery Roshchupkin. The Finnish delegation, which was made up of members of the Finnish parliament's commission for the farming and timber industries, was headed by commission chairman Timo Kalli.

During the meeting Roshchukin said that Russia was hoping for Finland's support and cooperation in the battle against illegal timber exports. According to the minister, frequent infringements have been detected in the Far East and the North-West of the country, despite the fact that recent Russian legislation has increased the penalties for illegal logging.

During the meeting the representatives of the Russian ministry told their Finnish partners about recent changes to Russian legislation. In particular, these concern the concept for the development of the timber industry put forward to the Russian government, and the draft Russian Timber Code. Particular attention was devoted to the procedure for allotting timber plots.