Fines and arrest for wood storage: MP explained who will be punished.

Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Yurii Kameliuk defended the new bill on strengthening control over the turnover of wood.

During the Evening.LIVE program, the parliamentarian denied widespread concerns about possible massive inspections of the population.

«There will be no inspections, only those who cut and steal need to worry», – emphasized Kameliuk, commenting on the legislative initiative aimed at strengthening the responsibility for storage, transportation, and sale of wood without the proper documents.

According to the MP, most critics of the bill do not delve into its content and do not conduct a proper analysis of the document. He emphasized that the initiative's goal is to combat illegal logging and corrupt schemes in the state enterprise «Forests of Ukraine».

Kameliuk also noted that negative comments about the bill are often inspired by those involved in illegal schemes in the forestry sector.

Strengthened control over wood turnover: what does it mean?

According to the new legislation, storing wood worth over 30,000 hryvnias without documents is subject to criminal liability of 5 to 7 years. At the same Time, even storing a smaller amount of wood without documents threatens citizens with administrative responsibility.

Additionally, the responsibility for illegal logging of not only forests but also shrubs outside forest areas has been strengthened.

In case of significant damage, violators face a fine of 34,000 hryvnias or up to 5 years in prison. If the violation led to severe consequences under martial law, the punishment will range from 7 to 10 years in prison.

The bill, initiated by 26 members of the Verkhovna Rada, is currently submitted for signature to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Notably, one of the co-authors of the law, Danylo Hetmantsev, refrained from detailed comments on the document, noting that "changes could have occurred between the first and second reading".