Act on Forests.

This Act sets out fundamental definitions (forest, forest management, sustainable forest management), scope of application (all forests regardless of ownership), and the objectives of forest policy, including protection, maintenance and expansion of forest resources, and the interrelation of forest management with environmental protection and national economy. It also references the application of specific EU regulations concerning timber imports and trade in timber products. The present Act prescribes that sustainable forest management be implemented according to forest management plans, defines duties of owners and administrators (including obligations for regeneration, protection, and fire prevention), and specifies objectives such as soil and water protection, biodiversity conservation, and rational timber production. It establishes the organization and competences of the State Forests, duties of the Director General, regional directorates, and forest districts, and lays down rules for public access, restrictions, and permitted uses. The Act also contains provisions on marking of timber, public procurement transparency in forestry services, rights of first refusal for certain land sales, and administrative penalties related to illegal timber trade and non-compliance with EU timber regulations.