of wood produced in Romania.More than halfis estimated to be due to illegal logging. Such illegal logging is a threat to the habitat of flora and fauna as well asbiodiversitySerious toThe threat of illegal logging has become a threat to the environment. In addition, the profits from illegal logging in Romania have led to a number of violent incidents and murders against staff members of environmental groups and others who are trying to protect the forests. The problem is not limited to Romania. Illegal logging of forests is a problem throughout Eastern Europe, from Albania to Russia. Timber produced by these illegal logging operations is also exported to Western Europe, Asia, and the United States. Measures with a global perspective are needed to address this problem, which is spreading globally. This article explores the illegal logging problem in Eastern Europe.

Forest in Kravievo, Ukraine (Photo: Аимаина хикари / Wikimedia Commons [CC0 1.0])

Illegal Logging in Eastern European Countries

What does illegal logging mean? Each country has laws regarding where and how much forests can be logged, and the world's forests are divided into areas where logging is permitted by these laws (legal logging areas) and areas where it is not (illegal logging areas). Even in legal logging areas, permits are required for logging and there are limits on the amount that can be harvested. Logging that does not comply with these laws, takes place outside of legal logging areas, or does not adhere to the maximum volume limits can be called illegal logging. In addition, the European Union (EUFor the member countries of the (a), forests are."Natura 2000(Natura 2000)"saidIt is protected by a network on environmental protection. For example, the Danube River Delta (mainly in the Romanian delta) and the Białowieża Forest (a forest straddling the border between Poland and Belarus) are included in this network. However, problems of inadequate monitoring and lack of enforcement of the law by local authorities have led to illegal logging in these areas as well today.

So how does illegal logging work? In most illegal logging, illegal traders or mafia first hire people to cut down trees near forests in various locations. These traders then remove the logs from the forest and either process them into lumber or sell them to sawmill companies. If used domestically, the logs are then sold to building and furniture makers. When used outside the country, the logs are exported through means such as forging documents to make it look like they were legally harvested or bribing government officials in charge of export procedures. In some cases, trading companies that export timber purchase the timber knowing that it has been illegally logged and mix it with legally harvested timber for export.

Let us look at some examples of countries where illegal logging is taking place. Romania, mentioned at the beginning of this report, is one of the countries in Eastern Europe where the problem of illegal logging is particularly serious. Global Forest WatchAccording to,2001Since the year2019In Romania byabout3510,000 hectaresforests were logged by legal or illegal means. Against the backdrop of such deforestation, about 20counter for years (following a number in the hito-futa-mi counting system)Romania's forest cover increased by 4.4The number of employees decreased by %.On the other hand, another survey showed that 2008Some data have been published showing that forest cover has changed little since 1949, but in any caseThe forest cover in Romania is about 301 TP3T, which is higher than the forest cover potential in Romania estimated by experts.15%is also low.

Several companies are listed as allegedly engaged in illegal logging in Romania. Romania's forestry industryapproximately halfRomsilva, a state-owned company responsible for)has been under suspicion in connection with illegal logging. In addition, Romania's largest lumber company, Austria-based lumber giant HSTimber Company (HS TimberOlderHolzindustrie SchweighoferisThe company purchases both legally and illegally logged logs, mixes the logs at the sawmill, and thenexportIt is believed that they are doing so. Log suppliers and the mafia use bribes to prevent local authorities from cracking down on those who oppose them.Threats, violence, etc.The company is also using the "screw up" method.

Large-scale illegal logging is also reportedly taking place in Russia, which has the world's largest forest area. Of these, the BM Group (BM Group), which is engaged in both logging and sawmilling, is attracting particular attention.(a).2001In 1949, the Russian central government established a national forest(at sentence-end, falling tone) indicates a confident conclusionSurveillance RelaxationThe combination of the decision to "take the lead" and the widespread corruption in local governments has led to the expansion of illegal deforestation. Earthsite, a citizens' group)of total timber production in eastern Russia.halfare illegally logged, he points out. Also in Ukraine, commercial logging companies areillegal loggingThe company is believed to be engaged in the following activities. According to EarthSite's research, the wood produced in UkraineApprox. 40%are illegally logged. Besides these cases,Bulgaria, ,North Macedonia, ,Albania, ,Baltic countriesLarge-scale illegal deforestation has also been reported in the past in places such as

Government-approved illegal logging

The cases listed so far are clearly illegal logging, such as logging in areas where deforestation is prohibited and deliberate concealment of logging that exceeds the legally mandated amount. On the other hand, there have also been cases where governments have approved logging in national parks, which are protected areas by law.

Forest in Białowieża, Poland (Photo:Greenpeace Polska / Flickr [CC BY-ND 2.0])

The largest forest in Eastern Europe, the Białowieża Forest in Poland, has been illegally logged by the state. This forest was cleared in 1979It was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 2006, and natura2000It is partially protected by theHowever, the 2016Polish Ministry of Environment in 2006.claimed that the forest in Białowieża was infested with woodlice and needed to be cut down,governmentschool (e.g. of ikebana)approved the mass logging of forests. In response, many expertsoppositionThe position of theand many by the public.protest demonstrationoccurred. In addition, the logged forests are Natura 2000protected areas, i.e.EUAreas protected by lawTherefore, since the 2018In 2006, the European Court of Justice ruled that this logging was illegal.judgmentThe government ordered the government to stop the deforestation that was taking place in the area.

Another case occurred in Bulgaria, where the government almost approved logging in a national park that was supposed to be protected by law.2017In 2006, the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment drew up a new development plan for Pirin National Park. Theplanto 66% of the park property.indicates certainty, emphasis, etc.Development work was performed and 48%The following items are included in the list of items that are permitted for logging in theThe project was being planned by the Bulgarian government. Environmental groups opposed to the plan filed a lawsuit against the government, and Bulgaria's Supreme Administrative Court ruled to enjoin the development project.

Demand for illegally harvested wood

It is clear that a great deal of illegal logging is taking place in Eastern Europe. However, illegal logging is not the only problem. The problem is not only illegal logging, however, because the logged timber is exported from Eastern Europe and purchased by timber-related companies in other countries. In other words, there is demand for illegally logged timber. The export destinations are diverse, with Europe, the United States, and East Asia being the main destinations. So which countries and companies are actually importing illegally logged timber from Eastern Europe? These illegally harvested timber are often mixed with timber harvested by legal means, and some are smuggled in without any record of the procedure. Although this makes it difficult to identify and determine the scale of the problem, several studies have been published.

HS Timber's sawmill (Photo: Holzindustrie Schweighofer /) Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 4.0])

Much of the timber in Eastern Europe is exported to other EU countries, including Western Europe. For example, the 2020 EarthSite for the logging activities of the BM Group, a Russian timber company.surveyAccording to the BM Group, 69% of the timber it exports to the EU enters the EU through German companies such as Jacob Jürgensen, Ost-West Holzhandels, and Ludwig Holz and Co. A survey of the guidelines governing logging in the EU showed that logs from the Far East region, where the BM Group is active, have been80%.are noted to have been illegally logged, and it is highly likely that logs imported into the EU are also contaminated with these illegally logged logs.

In addition, as mentioned above, the timber exported from Ukraine40%are presumed to have been illegally harvested, yet Western traders are also purchasing illegal or suspected illegal timber from Ukraine. Among them is the world's largest purchaser of wood, IKEA (IKEA(presence of)IKEAschool (e.g. of ikebana)2019in the yearabout20010,000,000 EurosWood from Ukraine, including wood containing substantial suspected illegality.BuyThe company has been working on a number of projects. In addition, the 2015in the yearThe company is suspected of involvement in illegal logging in Romania.Timber from Timber Co.BuyIt is pointed out that they were doing so.

Eastern European countries are EUThe company also exports a large amount of lumber to other countries. For example, Russia's large scale involvement in illegal logging has been notedBMThe group's largest trading partners are located in China and Japan. China is2015Since the year2020up to the yearabout1hundred million1,10010,000,000 EurosBM of equivalent woodpurchased from the group. In addition, the Heilongjiang Songling Group (Heilongjiang Songlin GroupA Chinese vendor calledBMgroup and a joint venture in forest logging. Japanese companies are,2015Since the year2020up to the yearBMFrom Groupabout3,90010,000,000 EurosThe equivalent amount of wood was purchased.

China and Japanis also a major exporter of timber from Romania, much of which is purchased from HS Timber, a company allegedly involved in illegal logging. Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)According to a survey by the2015In 2006, major Japanese importers such as Hanwa Kogyo Corporation, Sumitomo Forestry, Itochu Corp.steamship submarine cableTimber Company's timber export volume.about50%and these timbers are used as housing materials. It is not known how much of the total export volume is illegally harvested lumber, but a major suspicion remains.

Measures against illegal logging

Thus, the problem of illegal logging in Eastern Europe involves many actors, from logging and lumber companies, to criminal organizations, to local governments, trading companies, manufacturers of wood products, and governments of other countries. Measures at all levels are needed to solve this problem. Finally, some of the attempts are presented below.

Poland, protests against deforestation (Photo:Greenpeace Polska / Flickr [CC BY-ND 2.0])

Various efforts are being made at the citizen level to combat these illegal logging activities. For example, when illegal logging is revealed, citizensprotest demonstrationIt is not uncommon for opposition to arise through In recent years, theRomania, ,Poland, ,BulgariaA protest demonstration was held to protect forests from illegal logging in

In addition, civil society groups monitor the actions of commercial logging companies, collect evidence of illegal activities, and report illegal activities to government agencies. World Wildlife Fundand earth sites, etc.UniquesurveyThe data is collected by and information isdisseminating the information. The media can also direct attention to the issue by conducting surveys and reporting news stories that include the findings of citizen groups. In addition, there are organizations that investigate the source of wood and certify that the wood used in the products consumers are purchasing has been legally harvested. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international(the "Mere Old Man") is theOne example. This authentication system includes a variety ofweaknessThe following is a list of the most common problems that have been reported in the past.

Among the Eastern European countries with illegal logging problems, some governments are taking action. For example, in 2016In 2006, Bulgaria banned logging in old-growth forests.lawwas adopted, and many exports of suspected illegal logging in Belarus wereforbiddenThe government of Romania has also responded to the protests by The Romanian government has also responded to the demonstrations by imposing penalties for illegal logging.reinforceThe first of these was the Macedonian Ecological Society (Macedonian Ecological Society). Other activities in North Macedonia include the Macedonian Ecological SocietyVarious civic groups, including theThe Charou Mountains were designated as a national park by the government in response to advocacy for their protection.designationThe forests are now being protected.

As already mentioned, the EUFor member countries,EUalso play a role in preventing illegal deforestation. For example,Natura 2000, a network of the aforementioned protected areas within the EU, plays a significant role. It should also be noted, for example, the ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that stopped the government from clearing forest in a protected area in the name of a forest in Białowieża, Poland, which is plagued by the woodlice.

There have been moves by governments outside of the EU countries to take action. China and Japan, which import much timber from Eastern Europe, have created laws to stop the import of illegally logged timber. For example,In Japan, in 2016.clean wood process(CWA))The CWA stipulates that Japanese importers must take steps to promote the use of legally harvested timber. Currently, several importers are working with the CWAAppropriate precautions and measures within the company are being taken based on the In addition, the world's largest importer of timberChinese Government to Reduce Illegal Logging Timber Imports by July 2020lawThe first time, the company enforced the

Sawmill in Russia (Photo:carlfbagge / Flickr [CC BY 2.0])

summary

The problem of illegal logging is a complex issue with many layers of diverse actors. Resolution of these issues requires the environmental protection systems of international organizations, the laws of national governments, and the monitoring of logging by local authorities and proper enforcement of laws, among others. In addition, illegal logging activities are not only beneficial to major companies and governments, but also to those who actually do the logging. In other words, the illegal logging problem in Eastern Europe is only a small part of a worldwide problem that is embedded in the global economic structure. With increasing attention being paid to climate change and global warming, the proper use and sometimes protection of the earth's resources has become an essential issue in order to create a sustainable world. To solve the problem,multilateral agreementand other international organizations and governments are required to realize and implement more concrete and effective measures.

Writer: Adriana Nicolaie

Graphic: Mayuko Hanafusa

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