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Otar Shamugia: " We are strengthening the capacity of the Department of Environmental Supervision by adopting environmental standards.
The candidate for the position of the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia, emphasized the importance of enhancing control mechanisms while discussing environmental protection measures at the joint session of the Agrarian Issues, Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Sectoral Economy and Economic Policy, Regional Policy, and Self-Government and Finance-Budget Committees.
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 "We are strengthening the capacity of the Department of Environmental Supervision by adopting environmental standards. The inspection teams were equipped with modern technical means, drones, photo traps, body video cameras, video recorders, and others. We have tightened the administrative and criminal legislation for preventive purposes. In 2022-2023, the responsibility for illegal forest use, illegal mineral extraction, illegal logging and transportation of timber, and fishing with electric shock equipment has significantly tightened," said Mr. Otar Shamugia.
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According to Mr. Shamugia, the National Waste Management Action Plan (2022-2026) and the National Waste Management Strategy (2016-2030) have been adopted, which determine the main priorities for the coming years.
" The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system has been launched for the first time since 2022, which is the main financial and economic tool for promoting the separate collection of waste, recycling, and the adoption of a circular economy. This year, we plan to adopt two new regulations, which will include end-of-life vehicles and "packaging waste", Mr. Otar Shamugia said.