As the New Year holidays approach, the demand for live Christmas trees traditionally increases. The Chuguiv Region Police urge citizens to be responsible when choosing a Christmas tree and to purchase it exclusively from legal points of sale.
Law enforcement officers remind that the trade in New Year trees is allowed only in places specially designated by local governments. Live Christmas trees, pines and spruces are grown on specialized Christmas tree farms. Each tree has a chip or individual barcode, which confirms its legal origin.
You can check the barcode on the official service of the State Agency of Forest Resources of Ukraine at the link: https://open.ukrforest.com
Law enforcement officers advise paying attention to signs of official sale when purchasing, including:
- Tree marking.
Every Christmas tree must be labeled. Legally harvested trees must have a chip or individual barcode label containing information about the tree's origin.
- A well-equipped and fenced fairground.
This is one of the mandatory requirements for official places of sale of Christmas trees.
- Availability of an information sign.
Buyers should be able to view information about the business entity that sells Christmas trees.
- Pricing transparency.
A ruler for measuring wood must be installed at the point of sale and the cost per linear meter must be indicated.
In addition, the seller is required to have a forestry invoice and permits for trade.
The Chuguiv Region Police reminds that the law provides for administrative and criminal liability for the illegal felling, transportation, or sale of Christmas trees.
If you discover any illegal or suspicious sale of coniferous trees, citizens are asked to immediately report it to the hotline 102 or contact the nearest police station.