FORESTRY MONOPOLIZATION: A STEP FORWARD OR A STEP BACK?

Abstract

The article contains a summary of the first results of the forest management reform conducted in accordance with the Federal Law “On Amendments to the Forestry Code of the Russian Federation” and Articles 14 and 16 of the Federal Law “On General Principles of Implementation of Local Self-Government in the Russian Federation” dated 02 July 2021 No 304-FZ. The scope of application of said law covers changes in the procedure for forest management activities, the establishment of qualification requirements and the procedure for certifying forest management experts, as well as the planning of forest management with reference to the existing and planned development of forests and areas of such development. The article includes a review of recent activities and stages of the forest management reform, an assessment of the impact of the monopoly state of forest management on the quantities and prices of the forest taxation services market, as well as the quality of forest management activities. The article also includes discussion on the aspects of state planning in the field of forest use, conservation, protection and reproduction, taking into consideration the forest planning documentation being granted the status of a binding regulatory document. The article covers the materials of the parliamentary hearings titled “Forest Management: Current Problems and Trends”, held in the Federation Council on 25 April 2023. It includes considerations on potential improvement of legal regulation in the field of forest management.

Keywords

• forestry legislation
• forest management reform
• service market
• monopoly
• administrative regulation
• forest management regulations of forestry
• forest development project
• forest use declaration