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Georgia Tightens Sanctions for Illegal Logging
The Parliament of Georgia has adopted legislative amendments to strengthen sanctions for illegal logging, following a draft law prepared by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture. The amendments introduce stricter penalties under the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences, reflecting the government’s commitment to protecting the country’s forest resources.
The new regulations impose tougher liability for offences such as the illegal processing of industrial timber, with particular attention given to violations involving sawmills and the unauthorised handling of unmarked roundwood (logs). However, the law maintains allowances for rural residents to extract firewood following existing legal provisions.
The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili, submitted the draft law to Parliament for its third reading.
Key provisions include:
Sanctions are being tightened for offences such as violations of sawmill registration requirements, placement of unmarked roundwood (logs) on sawmill premises, illegal felling of woody plants, unlawful timber production, and the illegal transportation of roundwood.
Violation of sawmill registration requirements will now be punishable by 1 to 3 years of imprisonment, and 3 to 5 years for repeat offences.
A newly introduced Article 287² in the Criminal Code defines criminal liability for the placement of unmarked roundwood at sawmill facilities. If the action is repeated by someone previously subjected to administrative sanctions, or if the quantity of unmarked timber causes significant environmental damage, the penalty includes a fine and/or imprisonment of 1 to 3 years. The placement of a large quantity of unmarked timber resources may result in 3 to 5 years of imprisonment and/or a fine. Legal entities found guilty under this article face liquidation or a five-year ban on conducting business.
Illegal felling of woody plants and unlawful timber production will now be punishable by 1 to 3 years of imprisonment, increasing to up to 4 years for repeat violations. If committed by a legal entity, the penalty includes liquidation or business disqualification for up to 5 years.
The amendments also introduce criminal liability for the illegal logging of large quantities of trees in state forests or protected areas, punishable by a fine and/or 5 to 7 years of imprisonment.