Harvesting of endangered plants may be punishable with up to 9 years in prison in Russia - lawmaker

MOSCOW. Nov 9 (Interfax) - A group of Russian parliamentarians submitted a bill to the State Duma on Wednesday to envisage criminal liability for the illegal harvesting or destruction of rare and endangered plants listed in the Russian Red Book and protected by Russia's international agreements, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on State Building and Legislation Pavel Krasheninnikov said.

"The law envisages strict responsibility for the destruction of rare animals and aquatic species, but there no such with regard to rare plants," Krasheninnikov told reporters.

"The current protection of particularly valuable plants is not good enough," Krasheninnikov said, referring to information from Russian regions. The destruction of rare plants has drastically increased in certain Russian territories, especially the Far East, Altai and Crimea, in recent years, he said.

Under the bill, criminal liability for the destruction, damage, harvesting or distribution of particularly valuable plants can be applied only if it is done on purpose rather than by mistake.