The Ministry of Natural Resources, as instructed by President Vladimir Putin, has drafted a bill on amendments to the Criminal Code which introduce criminal liability for the illegal hunting and trading of endangered animals.

"Poaching is now punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to one million roubles. For public officials who use their authority to engage in illegal hunting, the sentence may be extended to five years, with a maximum two million rouble fine. If an organised criminal group is charged with poaching, the punishment is five to seven years and a fine of up to two million roubles," Minister of Natural Resources Sergei Donskoi said in an interview with Rossiiskaya Gazeta.

As the minister stressed, when the law comes into force, poaching, purchasing, storing or transporting rare and endangered species will all be subject to criminal liability.

"If you are found carrying a Siberian Tiger skin, you will be held responsible," he explained.

"From now on, it will be different. If someone finds, say, the skin of a rare animal, that person must report it to a hunting inspector or a game warden. As soon as a person puts the skin in their vehicle, this act may be qualified as poaching and may lead to criminal conviction," Sergei Donskoi said.

The minister also stated that the list of animals that are illegal to hunt would be updated very soon and that a penalty is also imposed for the illegal hunting of game animals.

"The fine, or administrative liability, currently amounts to 5,000 roubles for a hunter. Any further personal action for illegal hunting may result in a much higher fine of up to 200,000 roubles," he said.

The minister noted that fines and criminal liability are not the only ways to combat poaching.

"In early July, the Council of Federation approved our amendments to the hunting related legislation. These amendments are expected to restore the hunting oversight which existed up to 2002," he added, stressing that the current changes in the law are only the beginning.

"We will continue to strengthen control in this area," the minister said.