Ukrainians warned about responsibility for illegal cutting down of fir trees: penalties named.

Ukrainians were informed about the responsibility for illegal cutting down of fir trees and the penalties involved.

As reported by the Coordination Center for providing free legal aid, Ukrainians are reminded of the responsibility for illegal cutting down of fir trees before the New Year. Significant fines can be imposed for this, which should be avoided by purchasing a legal fir tree instead.

The desire to have a fir tree at home should not lead to breaking the law. Moreover, purchasing a legal fir tree, grown in special forestry enterprises, may cost less than the fine

For illegal cutting down of a fir tree in the forest, the following fines are imposed:

• 510-1020 hryvnias
• For repeated violations within a year: 1020-1530 hryvnias
• For officials: 2550-5100 hryvnias.

For a cut fir tree within populated areas:

• For ordinary citizens: 170-510 hryvnias
• For officials or entrepreneurs: 510-850 hryvnias.

It is also important to note that criminal liability may arise if the damage to the forest is significant - more than 30,280 hryvnias. The Cabinet of Ministers established rates for calculating the damage caused to the forest or protected areas, which depend on the diameter of the tree.

For significant damage, the following penalties may be imposed:

• A fine of 17-25.5 thousand hryvnias or probation supervision for up to 3 years, or restriction or deprivation of liberty for the same period.
• If such actions are repeated or committed by a group of people - restriction of liberty for a period of 3 to 5 years or deprivation of liberty for the same period.
• Cutting down trees in nature reserves or on the territories of the natural reserve fund is punished by a fine from 2.55 to 34 thousand hryvnias or restriction of liberty for a period of 3 to 5 years, or deprivation of liberty for the same period.

It is also important to pay attention to the fact that local authorities inform about official places of fir tree sales before the holidays, where they should be chipped or have labels with information about the forestry and the tree.

Earlier, it was reported whether food prices would rise until the end of the year.