Opening the meeting, First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov said: "The government has instructed us to elaborate a system of control over the legality of the acquisition, transportation and export of timber and timber products."

"The draft law is ready. It has been discussed in the regions, and by public organisations, branch unions and associations. The majority of the ministries and departments concerned, as well as the World Wildlife Fund, have responded positively to the draft. We have determined the level of funding required and plan to allocate 500 million roubles for its implementation in 2012-2014," Zubkov said.

Participants in the meeting clarified certain issues regarding control procedures over the legality of timber stockpiling, the confiscation of timber products and their storage.

Following the discussion, Zubkov instructed his subordinates to finalise the draft and submit it to the government within 10 days.

"Adoption of the draft and its subsequent implementation will make it possible to considerably reduce illegal timber stockpiling and increase the revenue streams of the timber industry at all levels," he said.

Experts estimate that illegal felling in Russia amounts to around 1.3 million cubic metres a year, with annual economic losses running into 12-14 billion roubles.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Federal Forestry Agency, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Justice Ministry and the Ministry of Communications and Mass Media, and other interested departments.