«Firewood Preparation According to Regulations»

In anticipation of the heating season, many citizens need to purchase and stock firewood.

In accordance with Article 44 of the Forest Code of the Republic of Belarus, citizens may harvest timber from forest fund plots for a fee based on a permit. A permit for the minor sale of standing timber is issued by the forestry unit, and no more than 50 cubic meters of timber can be harvested under such a permit.

According to Article 42 of the Forest Code, a citizen wishing to obtain a plot for timber harvesting must submit a written application to the forestry unit at their place of residence, requesting a forest fund plot for firewood harvesting. The application must specify: the purpose of obtaining the forest fund plot, full name, place of residence, the volume of firewood planned for harvesting, and the period for which the forest fund plot is requested.

The legal entity managing the forest economy, or its structural unit (forestry unit), in accordance with Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 200 of April 26, 2010 "On Administrative Procedures Carried Out by State Bodies and Other Organizations Upon Applications from Citizens," shall review the application and accompanying materials within two working days of its submission. If there are no grounds for refusing the provision of a forest fund plot for forest use, the forest fund plot shall be provided by issuing a permit to the applicant, provided that the applicant has paid the fee for forest use.

After the permit is issued, the logging area is transferred to the citizen with the drawing up of an acceptance-transfer act for the logging area. Following this, timber harvesting is carried out.

The permit serves as the basis for the removal of harvested timber. The removal of harvested timber is permitted only after it has been measured by a forestry unit employee. After measuring the harvested timber, the forestry unit employee shall record the volume of timber, indicating the species, in the permit table on the date of its removal, and shall also provide their surname, initials, and signature.

Violation of the rules for harvesting and removal of timber shall result in the responsible parties being held administratively liable in accordance with applicable legislation. In the event of damage to the environment, the responsible parties shall compensate for the damage caused in the established manner, and illegally harvested products shall be confiscated from the violators.