The Finnish government has proposed a 50% tax relief on the sale of timber (logs) in order to secure supplies and support the country’s forest industry.

The measure has been proposed ahead of Russia’s planned increase in its export tariffs on roundwood to €50/m3 at the start of 2009 – a move which will effectively stop Finnish import of logs from Russia.

It will be granted retrospectively on all sales dating back to April 1, and will be valid until December 31, 2009. From January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 the tax relief will fall to 25%.

For more details see the next edition of TTJ