Reindeer Husbandry and Barents 2030

Svein Disch Mathiesen

consumers fear surrounding GMO’s and mass produc- tion food methods increase in Europe. Reindeer meat is seen and marketed as a healthy and clean protein alternative. Prices are high and there is a strong em- phasis on quality, value added products and the de- velopment of speciality markets. Still, there are still many challenges – a consumer-led demand for green energy has resulted in a wind mills construction boom on the coast of Troms, Finnmark and the Kola Peninsula, severely impacting calving grounds. Significant sections of mainstream soci-

ety are unhappy with the new power and influence of Sámi society in general and reindeer husbandry in particular, and several political parties pander to these insecurities. However, conflict resolution tech- niques and widespread education projects partly funded by revenue sharing arrangements have helped mitigate the more extreme forms of misin- formation from all partners. Training in negotiations, EIA work, and particularly investments in research and innovative ways of restoring pastures disturbed by development has helped secure land suitable for reindeer herding.

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