The Archangel parliament, or duma, has ratified a law compelling that all truck loads of logs and sawn timber are accompanied by a complete set of documents confirming their legal status.
Companies that fail to comply face fines of up to 150,000 roubles. This compares to a federal law for the same offence which carries a maximum fine, imposed on the driver rather than the company transporting the timber.
The Archangel authorities say the new law bridges a gap in regulations that enabled logs to be delivered without licences to the point of sale and that it reinforces their commitment to legal and sustainable logging.
Spot checks will now be carried out to ensure the law is enforced.
