New Minister of Agriculture Did Not Want Introduce Real Problems

Ministry of Agriculture held a meeting on “State problems and prospects of development of forestry in the Russian Federation” under the leadership of the new Minister, Elena Skrynnik.

The meeting succeeded in persuading the Minister that forestry “is not only alive, but also successfully developed on the basis of new legislation, the situation with forest management and forest fires completely controlled, and if there is any problems, they are related to improper work of the regional authorities”.

In general, it was noted that the timber industry of Russia was entering a new phase of development on the basis of long-term forest planning based on the sustainability of the forest sector, increasing its contribution to socio-economic development. In 2008, for implementation by the executive authorities of RF subjects delegated powers in the field of forest from the federal budget was allocated 17.1 billion rubles, which is 40% more than in 2007. Regions identified in the forestry 3.6 billion rubles. In 2009 for this purpose there will be sent about 17.6 billion rubles.

According to the Minister of Agriculture of Russia Elena Skrynnik, “this year, the effective use of actors in the budget is taken under special control”. Alexei Savinov, the Head of the Rosleshoz, informed the Minister about the situation with forest fires in Russia. He noted that over the same period in 2008, the number of forest fires in Russia has decreased in 2 times, in 3.5 times – the area damaged by fire. As of April 28 since the beginning of fire season, nearly 3.5 thousand cases of forest fires, the area damaged by the fire was 105 hectares.

Unfortunately, independent experts were not invited to the meeting, apparently, from the fear that their comments damage the soft and pleasing atmosphere of the meeting, Forest Forum of Greenpeace Russia said. While the new leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture does not realize that the reforms of recent years have led to almost complete destruction of forests in Russia and the disastrous social consequences for the population of forest villages and towns.

Informational resource:
www.forestforum.ru