Minister Tasks Vojtech Ferencz with Managing Forestry Company Lesy SR

Bratislava, October 20 (TASR) - Tibor Menyhart has resigned from the post of general director of state-run forestry company Lesy SR for personal reasons, the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry's communications department informed TASR on Monday. Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) has accepted his decision and tasked manager Vojtech Ferencz with running the company. The new general director is taking up the post with a clear mission – to streamline internal processes, strengthen control mechanisms and ensure maximum transparency in the management of state assets. One of his priorities is to reform the sale of timber so that it is sold exclusively to domestic producers and timber processors in order to support the industry and increase added value within the country. Other key measures include introducing a new labelling system to ensure that the origin and movement of timber can be traced, to improve efficiency and make contractual relations more transparent. "Our goal is to ensure that Lesy SR remains a modern and professionally managed company. Every cubic metre of timber from our forests should have a clear origin and should be sold to a buyer that can handle it efficiently, and we also want timber to remain - to the largest extent possible - within our country, where it creates jobs," said Ferencz. At a time when revenues are falling and costs are rising, it is is essential to set up a sustainable system and ensure that one of the most important state-run enterprises in forest management is run efficiently and transparently, added the ministry. "I assure the public and experts in the forestry community that professional, economical and environmentally sustainable management of state forests in line with applicable legislation and the public interest remains a priority," said Takac. jrg/df