ЕВА experts contribute to dialogue on improving the EIA procedure in the forestry and woodworking sectors

30/ 05/ 2025

Listen to online Stop   Representatives of the European Business Association took part in a round table discussion on the topic: “Environmental Impact Assessment: Developing a Roadmap for Reforming Timber Harvesting in Ukraine – Regulatory Realities and Prospects”, organised by the Federation of Employers of Ukraine as part of the working group on timber market reform. The event addressed key challenges in the forestry and woodworking sectors, including: Regulatory and legal frameworks governing timber harvesting and felling reforms; The relevance and utilisation of data in forest inventory and timber stock planning; The need to modernise timber harvesting processes. Yurii Andriiv, Committee Manager at the EBA, highlighted the need to improve the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure in the forestry sector. He stressed the importance of establishing a unified position not only among businesses and industry associations, but also with government bodies and the environmental community. Participants also discussed inconsistencies between certain provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Environmental Impact Assessment” and Annex II of Directive 2011/92/EU. Excessive regulation and procedural duplication are causing delays that negatively affect forest health and lead to deterioration in timber quality. In the context of European integration, harmonising national legislation with EU standards must become a priority. Member companies of the EBA also drew attention to the current state of the timber market. Due to insufficient supply at commodity exchanges, a surge in demand has caused a rapid rise in prices. This, in turn, is undermining the competitiveness of woodworking enterprises both domestically and internationally. The business community is calling for the implementation of effective solutions to ensure the stable functioning of the market, the smooth operation of export-import regimes, and the overall economic stability of the sector.

Representatives of the European Business Association took part in a round table discussion on the topic: “Environmental Impact Assessment: Developing a Roadmap for Reforming Timber Harvesting in Ukraine – Regulatory Realities and Prospects”, organised by the Federation of Employers of Ukraine as part of the working group on timber market reform.

The event addressed key challenges in the forestry and woodworking sectors, including:

• Regulatory and legal frameworks governing timber harvesting and felling reforms;

• The relevance and utilisation of data in forest inventory and timber stock planning;

• The need to modernise timber harvesting processes.

Yurii Andriiv, Committee Manager at the EBA, highlighted the need to improve the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure in the forestry sector. He stressed the importance of establishing a unified position not only among businesses and industry associations, but also with government bodies and the environmental community.

Participants also discussed inconsistencies between certain provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Environmental Impact Assessment” and Annex II of Directive 2011/92/EU. Excessive regulation and procedural duplication are causing delays that negatively affect forest health and lead to deterioration in timber quality. In the context of European integration, harmonising national legislation with EU standards must become a priority.

Member companies of the EBA also drew attention to the current state of the timber market. Due to insufficient supply at commodity exchanges, a surge in demand has caused a rapid rise in prices. This, in turn, is undermining the competitiveness of woodworking enterprises both domestically and internationally.

The business community is calling for the implementation of effective solutions to ensure the stable functioning of the market, the smooth operation of export-import regimes, and the overall economic stability of the sector.