Rovviltforvaltning og reindriftsnæringen: Hvordan kan en todelt målsetting praktiseres i samsvar med internasjonale konvensjoner?

Abstract

In Norway, both reindeer herders and sheep farmers base their meat production on natural outfield (utmark) pastures during the summer. In winter, most of the sheep are housed and fed indoors, while the reindeer survive on outfield pastures the whole year. During the last few decades, the losses of both sheep and reindeer to protected carnivores has increased in several areas in Norway. In this article, we focus on reindeer herding in the Troms and Nordland reindeer grazing area (reinbeiteområde). Due to large losses of reindeer calves, during the period from their birth in spring until late autumn, several reindeer herding districts hardly have any animals for slaughter. This has a very negative impact on both the economy and the cultural way of life. This article also discusses the reasons why it is difficult to document/prove who or what is responsible for the losses of reindeer calves. It is difficult to get permission to cull extra-active predators if the politically determined quota in each management region is not fulfilled. Documenting the correct number of predators inside each management region is therefore very important for reindeer herding and sheep farming. This has led to criticism and demonstrations by reindeer herders and sheep farmers. Norwegian predator policy formally builds on differentiated management. However, external review reveals that the management model builds on erroneous assumptions. Further, international law also requires that the burden created by predators does not unduly affect indigenous culture. The authors conclude that there is a need for extensive reforms in predator management in Norway.