Ukraine’s forestry sector prepares to meet European requirements

The State Forest Resources Agency is coordinating a pilot project to implement EU regulations on deforestation and is actively preparing all forest users to comply with the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which will come into force for Ukrainian exporters next year. This was announced by Head of the State Forest Resources Agency, Viktor Smal.

«An important part of this preparation is the obligation for all forest users to enter the geocoordinates of harvesting sites into the electronic logging permit. Let me remind you that on November 28 last year, the Government adopted Resolution No. 1552, which regulates the implementation of this requirement», - he said.

He added that among forest users under the management of the State Forest Resources Agency, the rate of entering geocoordinates is approaching 100%, while among other forest users it is currently almost twice as low. Therefore, interregional offices are actively working with them and explaining the importance of fulfilling this obligation.

In addition, the State Enterprise «FIAC» (Forestry Innovation and Analytical Centre), in cooperation with the Agency’s interregional offices, is presenting the functionality of the electronic exporter’s cabinet to industry representatives. This tool will provide exporters with the information needed to confirm that timber harvesting has not led to deforestation or forest degradation.

«In fact, the digital services that will help exporters comply with all EUDR requirements and verify that products exported to the EU have not caused deforestation or forest degradation are already fully operational. We had been preparing to implement this regulation in 2026, but the European Parliament postponed its entry into force by one year», - Viktor Smal explained.

According to him, the forestry sector now has additional time to actively test these services, improve them if necessary, and continue preparing to meet EU requirements.

«I would like to once again address forest users who are not under the management of the State Forest Resources Agency: do not delay entering geocoordinates. This is not only an obligation, but also something that will work to your advantage in the future», - Viktor Smal concluded.