Baloha appealed to Poroshenko demanding to ban customs clearance of wood exported abroad (open letter)

People’s deputy of Ukraine Victor Baloha, who, recall, the other day personally stopped trucks of "black lumberjacks" in Beregovo district, addressed an open letter to the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.

It contains clear requirements.

Here is the text of the letter, ​​published in particular on the MP’s facebook.

"Att. President of Ukraine

Mr. Petro Poroshenko

An open letter

On April 9, 2015, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the bill №1362, whereby a 10-year moratorium on raw wood and timber exports is introduced. This legal act, which I voted for too, is designed to give impetus to the development of woodworking industry of Ukraine and protect Ukrainian forests from the barbaric extermination.

However, due to frankly crooked actions with the Regulations of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Constitution, the law was signed by you only on the 8th of July. That is, 3 months after the voting in the Parliament.

Under the provisions of this bill, the moratorium will come into effect only on November 1, 2015, which looks like the last chance for black lumberjacks. This gap allows them to continue their illegal activities with a doubled motivation. After all, the time works not in their favor.

As a result, whole tracts of precious wood are being exterminated in Transcarpathia. Flora and fauna of the land suffer irreparable damage, and the places of deforestation often resemble amber landscapes in Rivne region.

All this barbaric activity takes place with the tacit consent of representatives of the local government and security forces appointed by you. Appeals of the community are ignored, which forces me as a deputy to stop illegal logging personally."

"The moratorium cames into force in a little more than two months. This time is enough to destroy more than one tract and make the Ukrainian Carpathians look like the surface of the moon. Therefore, I ask you, Mr. President, to instruct the relevant authorities to ban customs clearance of wood being exported abroad. This will be the best proof of your willingness to fight the barbaric felling of Ukrainian forests and those who cover it. Your situation requires your decisive and immediate action" – Baloha said.