EU May Ban Export Of Russian Lumber

The European Union is considering the possibility of imposing a ban on export of Russian lumber, announced Miron Tatsyun, the president of the Russian Union of Lumberers and Lumber Exporters, at the opening of the union's sixth congress in Moscow. EU member countries will discuss the ban on export of Russian lumber in November and December. In Tatsyun's opinion, introduction of this ban "may blow up the Russian lumber export." The European Union believes that 40-50% of Russian-made lumber is produced illegally, explained Tatsyun, who admitted that Russia was losing more than $1 billion through illegal turnover in the lumbering sphere. Besides, inability to coordinate the lumber price policy between the country's numerous lumber exporters has resulted in an undercharging of Russian lumber on the world market, he added. Pointing out that practically no state property was left in the Russian lumber industry, Tatsyun stressed the importance of adopting a national lumber policy and having the government coordinate it. A draft concept of this policy is already underway, he reported. In his opinion, it is necessary to boost the size of direct state support of the lumber industry, which can be done on a leasing basis.