Viktor Smal, the head of Ukraine’s State Forestry Agency, has announced new measures to improve transparency in the wood industry by establishing a traceability system aligned with EU regulations. The initiative is designed to address corruption and ensure greater accountability within the sector. Smal discussed these plans during a press conference at the Media Center of Ukraine, where he also met with Hamlet Pogosyan, CEO of the State Enterprise LIAC (Forestry Innovation and Analytical Center).
The project aims to enhance transparency by tracking the origin and movement of wood products throughout the supply chain. This would enable better oversight of the industry, prevent illegal logging, and ensure that all timber used in the EU market is sourced responsibly. Smal emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize Ukraine’s forestry sector and align it with international standards.
By implementing this traceability system, Ukraine could strengthen its position in the EU market, where environmental and ethical standards are increasingly important. The project also has implications for domestic stakeholders, including government agencies, forestry enterprises, and local communities that depend on the sector for employment and economic development.