No violations of timber ban, forestry sector reports
There have been no violations of the ban on timber exports to foreign countries from the provinces after the Prime Minister issued the order almost nine months ago, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Thongphath Vongmany told Vientiane Times on January 23 that so far there have been no reports of violations against the order by PM Thonglong Sisoulith to ban the exportation of lumber. Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith issued Order No. 15 in May last year banning the export of unfinished wood products. There have been reports about violations of the wood export ban but they could not make the news because the story was too small, Mr Thongphath said. According to a local newspaper report published on Monday, relevant authorities reported a violation and the exportation of lumber to a foreign country totaling some 22 trucks.
