Romania's Competition Council: New Forestry Code articles need to be amended

The Competition Council doesn’t oppose the entire text of the new Forestry Code, but it has recommended the amendment of articles which raise suspicions of state aid, said Bogdan Chiritoiu, President of the Competition Council. It has also asked to increase the maximum threshold for buying and processing timber to 30%. “No industry in Romania has such limits; quite the contrary, there are many companies in Romania that have a rate higher than 30% on the markets where they are active, for example, the mobile phone sector, the banking system, cable television,” said Chiritoiu, cited by local Economica.net. The Environment Ministry hasn’t offered any explanation about why the state needs this measure, Chiritoiu added. However, the Competition Council’s opinion is optional and the Parliament can overlook it. Last week, the Chamber of Deputies in Romania’s Parliament adopted the initial version of the draft law amending the Forestry Code, with 218 votes for, 95 against and 11 abstentions. It thus rejected President Klaus Iohannis’ request to change it. editor@romania-insider.com