New Measures to Track Timber Origin in Serbia: Fight Against Illegal Logging or Bureaucratic Trap?
A roundtable was held in Belgrade discussing a draft law introducing new measures to track the origin of timber and wood products in the Serbian market. The goal is to improve the legal framework and align it with European policies on sustainable forest management, as well as to combat illegal logging. But is this really a step forward or just another bureaucratic hurdle for domestic companies?
What do the new measures bring?
Serbia already has a system for approving logging and timber trade, but until now there was no obligation to apply a due diligence system for both domestic and imported timber. The new law requires that every piece of timber placed on the market must have a declaration of legal origin, which will be detailed in secondary legislation. This declaration will not be issued to everyone, only to those who really need it, and it will be in electronic form to avoid unnecessary paperwork.
Will domestic companies be burdened?
Representatives of industry and forestry emphasize that they do not want to further burden domestic companies. On the contrary, the goal is for exporters to have a document that will protect them abroad and prove that their timber is legally produced. It is proposed that the declaration accompanies the timber through trade, similar to a delivery note, which would be sufficient in most cases.
Stricter controls and penalties for illegal traders
Special attention is given to better control of timber imports and tightening penalties for those trading illegally logged timber. There is also consideration of banning imports for companies that repeatedly violate the rules.
Call for public consultation
The Ministry of Agriculture has invited citizens, companies, and organizations to send their proposals and comments in the coming weeks to make the new rules better and more applicable in practice.
Is this the end of illegal logging or just a new bureaucratic nightmare?
While it sounds like a good step in fighting illegal logging, many wonder if the new measures will really stop crime or just add extra burden to domestic producers and exporters. The electronic declaration and tracking timber through trade are steps in the right direction, but only if the law is applied effectively and without unnecessary complications.
Conclusion
Serbia is trying to align its laws with European standards and protect its forests, but it is important not to create additional burdens for domestic companies already operating in difficult conditions. The public consultation is an opportunity to hear all voices and adapt the law to the reality on the ground.
If you have experience with these or similar regulations, or think this will be a salvation or a disaster for the Serbian forestry industry, drop a comment below – let’s see who’s for and who’s against this new forest revolution!
