Ukraine introduces mandatory photo documentation of timber - government decision

This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Ukrinform reports.

"At its meeting, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved changes that introduce another digital tool in the forestry industry - photo recording of timber <...> now the electronic timber accounting system will form a lading number of forest only after uploading a photo of a timber truck with timber," the statement said.

According to the Minister of Environmental Protection Ruslan Strilts, this will introduce an additional tool for tracking the movement of timber to its destination. After all, information about the bill of lading is open, and anyone can check the authenticity of the documents on the website of the State Enterprise "LIAC" using the bill of lading number or the number of the timber truck.

For six months, this service has been tested by state forestry enterprises that are part of the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine". From now on, photographic recording is mandatory for all forest users.

The timber loaded onto the timber trucks will be photographed from four angles, after which the photos will be uploaded to the electronic timber accounting system. Only after that will the bill of lading be generated.

It is noted that the pattern of folded wood is unique and cannot be duplicated. Accordingly, the bill of lading cannot be used a second time.

As reported, in 2023, the State Forest Guard detected 4,400 cases of illegal logging, with the amount of damage amounting to UAH 579.8 million.