The Ministry of Finance (FM) has responded to Agriculture Minister Armands Krauze's public statements concerning the evaluation of support in the timber sector, asserting that these remarks misinform the public and contradict established regulatory norms. According to FM, the roles and responsibilities of both the FM and the Ministry of Agriculture (ZM) regarding business support oversight are clearly defined in the Commercial Business Support Control Law. This legal framework explicitly indicates that ZM is responsible for the preliminary evaluation of planned support measures within the forestry sector.

Additionally, the FM highlights that the inclusion of timber industry as a key component of the forest sector was established by the ZM itself. This is affirmed by a government order from October 5, 2015, which outlines the development guidelines for the forestry and related sectors for the period of 2015-2020. The ZM, as the document's creator and promoter, clearly stated that the forestry sector encompasses both forestry and the timber industry, which reinforces the interconnectedness of these sectors.

In light of these clarifications, the FM emphasizes the importance of adhering to the established regulatory framework and ensuring that public communications from government officials accurately reflect the legal responsibilities and industry standards. The implications of such misleading statements may lead to public confusion and a misinterpretation of the government's role in supporting the timber industry, necessitating a clear understanding of the respective functions of the involved ministries.