During the past three years violations of the law in forestry have consistently decreased, this year the volume of serious illegal forest cutting to be criminally proceeded has diminished remarkably. The reason for that is the improved work of Environmental Inspectorate. According to Mr. Villu Reiljan, Minister of the Environment, the Inspectorate`s work on decreasing timber thefts deserves every kind of acknowledgement. On Friday, September 19, illegal forest cutting in Rakke commune, Lääne-Virumaa County was stopped and forest management equipment was arrested as evidence, this is already the fourth time this year. Experience has shown that this kind of behavior simplifies substantially the investigation of a timber theft and detection of its accessories. “It shows that the strengthening of the Inspectorate has given results. This is an efficient method for breaking illegal forest cutting network and I believe that the owners of the forest management equipment understand that this sort of risks will cost them dearly”, said Mr. Reiljan. Minister added that the Inspectorate deserves recognition for putting the environmental policy into consistent practice. Mr. Tõnu Traks, Deputy Secretary General on Nature Conservation and Forestry, also acknowledged the work of Environmental Inspectorate. “The law itself doesn`t raise the obedience, the consistent activity of Environmental Inspectorate assures the following of the law”, said Mr. Traks. He affirmed that the intensified work of the Inspectorate is the best way to fight criminal behavior. According to Deputy Secretary General, it is especially essential for the timber thieves to understand that their habitual behaviour is not acceptable and every offence will be punished. Mr. Traks added that efficient measure for fighting illegal forest cutting is also the new Forest Act, entry into force in year 2004, in which penalties will be made more severe and cutting methods specified. NB! Details and pictures of this week`s timber theft can be found in the press notice of Estonian Environmental Inspectorate (Ann Maripuu, Senior Officer of Communication, telephone (+372) 696 2234) For additional information please contact: Ms. Liisa Past |
