Environment Ministry ordered the illegal transport of Christmas trees nationwide

Environment Ministry ordered the illegal transport of Christmas trees nationwide

Bucharest, 16 December 2021 – The Environment Ministry ordered the Forest Guards to tolerate all Christmas-tree transport nationwide, even when it does not appear in the SUMAL 2.0 traceability system. The ministry claims Christmas trees are not timber, thus opening the door to abuse nationwide.

Agent Green points out that the ministry’s circular violates both the Forest Code and the government decision approving SUMAL 2.0. According to the ministry’s circular, Christmas trees are transported only with a goods delivery note, without appearing in SUMAL and the Inspectorul Pădurii application. Yet nobody checks multiple transports made using the same note.

“The Environment Ministry not only tolerates theft, but is the very architect of a new method of stealing, in breach of the Forest Code and its own orders and government decisions,” accuses Gabriel Păun, president of Agent Green.

Under Chapter VII, Art. 58 (2), e), Christmas trees are wood products specific to the national forest estate. Moreover, Art. 16 and 29 (1), c) of Government Decision 497/2020 on using the SUMAL control application show that Christmas trees are timber whose traceability is mandatory, with a note generated by SUMAL 2.0.

Agent Green calls on the Environment Ministry to respect the law and ensure that all Christmas trees are transported only with a note generated by SUMAL 2.0.

Forest Code

Government Decision 497 / 2020

Government Decision 497 / 2020