OREANDA-NEWS  The volume of illegal logging in Russia has decreased 1.6 times in two years of the reform of the forest complex, said Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko.

"As a result of the decisions implemented to date, the volume of illegal logging has decreased by 1.6 times compared to 2020," Abramchenko said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to her, in two years, the reform of the forest complex has allowed not only to significantly reduce illegal harvesting, but also to achieve a balance of conservation and use of forests. "For the first time in 20 years, the annual rate of reforestation exceeds the area of cut-down and dead plantings by a quarter," the Deputy Prime Minister noted.
Since 2020, Russia has been undergoing a reform of the forestry complex aimed at decriminalizing the industry. Since June 2021, decisions have been made to introduce export customs duties on rough-cut lumber. To control the turnover of wood, the Rosleskhoz was given additional powers. From January 1, 2022, there is a ban on the export of roundwood of coniferous and valuable hardwoods from the territory of the Russian Federation.