– fracture with a century -long difference treatment

The Nation published on May 22 a report entitled « Cheers over the Storting’s support: – Now I’m going out and raising the flag », Where they recently adopted the amendments to the Reindeer husbandry law. The report is also republished in several other media. Among other things, the changes in the reindeer husbandry law are about the liability of reindeer husbandry.

The earliest reindeer husbandry laws were mainly aimed at regulating compensation for damage to the inland, at a time when the presence of the reindeer husbandry was considered a form of tolerated use. That is, the reindeer could be there as long as it was not bothered for others – one accepted reindeer husbandry as long as it was not perceived as being in the way of anyone. This basic view has characterized reindeer husbandry legislation until today. This is although the development of law that has occurred since the 1960s states that reindeer husbandry’s law is based on an independent legal basis based on historical use and presence.

Coexistence and conflict prevention

For the Norwegian Reindeer Husbandry Association, it is important to get good coexistence between two important food producers.

The changes in the reindeer husbandry law make it clear that the landowner himself must help prevent damage, and at least where it must be expected that damage can occur. This is a result of general legal principles, and the principle can be recognized in the insurance industry for most people; If you have not locked the door at home, you cannot expect the insurance company to take responsibility for your losses if someone strolls in and supplies the silverware.

When assessing whether the landowner has contributed to avoiding damage, it will be considered, among other things, whether the landowner has used available opportunities to protect their property. This includes whether fences are set up and maintained, especially in areas where it is known that reindeer often go to the field. Here it can be mentioned that there are schemes for landowners to cover their costs for both layout and maintenance of fence against inland, with 90 %.

Are the sanction rules in the Reindeer husbandry law changed?

A picture has also been formed that the Storting has decided that the reindeer husbandry board should no longer be the appeal body in cases where the state manager has made a decision on the forced migration of reindeer and a fine.

The Storting has made a request decision, asking the Government to propose legislative and regulatory amendments related to the competence of the reindeer husbandry board.

The reindeer husbandry is entitled to co -determination and influence in the management of its own industry. The Storting cannot easily make legislative changes that are in violation of international law.

Any legislative amendment requires the investigation of reindeer husbandry’s external management, and this is also subject to consultation.

I would thus wait to hoist the flag until such processes have been completed. Coordination requires more than legislative changes. It also requires a willingness to implement measures from both parties.

Inge Even Danielsen, heads the Norwegian Reindeer husband’s National Association

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