Illicit tree cutting schemes are crimes that seriously affect the ecological balance of the Republic of Moldova and must be terminated. In a press conference held on August 7, Liviu Vovc, ACUM bloc deputy, from the DA Platform, stated that 400 000 lei worth of timber coming from illicit tree felling was discovered in a single forest range.
The deputy said that "An inspection carried out in forest range number 7, in Buțeni, found 351 illegally felled trees which indicate the theft of 382 cubic meters of timber".
The Moldsilva Agency and the Environmental Protection Inspectorate are responsible for stopping illegal logging. "What did these two institutions do to prevent illegal logging in the forests of the Republic of Moldova?", asks Liviu Vovc.
The deputy said that rangers are beginning to reveal illegal tree felling schemes and he urged them to make themselves heard in order to stop illegal logging. "I encourage the rangers to file complaints, so that the beneficiaries and the managers of these schemes are held accountable," said the deputy.
Liviu Vovc added that the new Forest Code provides for fines 28 times higher for illegal logging. "I asked the minister of agriculture to speed up the new Forestry Code commencement," said the deputy.
Liviu Vovc also said that reports suggest that illegal activities are committed in the mining and quarrying sectors.
