Council of Ministers temporarily bans export of wood assortments

(Patria) - The BiH Council of Ministers, at an extraordinary telephone session, adopted a Decision on the temporary ban on the export of certain forest wood assortments and wood products until October 31, 2022.

The decision was made in accordance with the initiatives of the Government of Republika Srpska and the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and after it was determined that the previously adopted decision did not achieve its objectives, which are primarily reflected in the enormous increase in prices of certain wood assortments and wood products.

By banning the export of certain forest wood assortments and wood products classified under 13 tariff codes, including wood briquettes, the aim is to ensure the necessary quantities for the processing industry, eliminate the threats of serious or irreparable damage to forests in BiH, and prevent critical shortages of firewood for the population and economy, as well as public institutions in education, healthcare, and social protection, caused by the crisis in the global energy market.

Upon the expiry of this decision's validity period, the BiH Council of Ministers will extend the protective measures provided for by this decision, upon the proposal and based on the report of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, and until the objectives of introducing the temporary export ban are met.

The BiH Council of Ministers may review the application of this decision even before its expiry if the objectives for its adoption are met, based on the submitted report from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations.

The decision enters into force on the day it is adopted and will be published in the "Official Gazette of BiH" and the official gazettes of the entities. On the day this decision enters into force, previously adopted decisions on the temporary ban on the export of certain forest wood assortments, firewood, and wood products from the 67th extraordinary session, as well as its amendment from the 54th regular session of the BiH Council of Ministers, cease to be valid.