On January 29, a delegation from the State Forestry Agency, led by Deputy Head Volodymyr Bondar, visited Austria to discuss cooperation in forestry management with colleagues from the Austrian State Forestry Company. During their field visit to forested areas, they exchanged insights on selective and gradual logging methods.

According to Austrian foresters, landowners in Austria can conduct clear-cutting on plots up to 0.5 hectares without approval, while areas from 0.5 to 2 hectares require a special permit. Additionally, forest owners are legally required to implement timely pest and disease control measures. If these measures are not carried out on time, authorities enforce them through legal regulations.

Moreover, Austrian forests also suffer from bark beetle infestations. Damaged trees are promptly removed and transported away at the first signs of infestation. Volodymyr Bondar emphasized that Austria’s forestry management experience is highly valuable for Ukraine.

“It is impossible to fully replicate another country's forestry management system. Ukraine is unique, with diverse conditions for growing forests. Therefore, we must adapt different systems. Austria’s experience in logging practices and pest control is particularly interesting for study and implementation,” Bondar stated.