Russia has admitted that its system of authenticating the origins of sawn timber does not work properly and that illegally cut wood is finding its way into Finland.
However, Russia hopes to bring illegal felling under control with its forest certification system – and the country is also taking measures aimed at achieving internationally acceptable sustainable forestry.
Speaking at the recent Finnish-Russian Forest Summit in Helsinki, Russia’s deputy minister for industry and energy, Ivan Materov, said it is not the Finns’ fault that more wood is felled in designated areas than is authorised.
It is believed that up to one-fifth of Russia’s wood exports involve illegally felled timber and Mr Materov said the problem is caused by the confused system surrounding the felling of wood. He hopes new forestry laws will rectify the situation.
ST Igritsky, chairman of the body developing Russia’s certification system, said an independent national certification system will be introduced which it hopes will be sanctioned by the PEFC Council.
