Norway consults on Håmmålsfjellet-Sålekinna reindeer grazing impact

The Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food has opened a consultation on an impact assessment regarding the use of the Håmmålsfjellet-Sålekinna area as winter grazing land for the Fosen reindeer grazing district.

Commissioned by the government, Norconsult conducted the assessment to evaluate how the area would affect various interests. NIBIO (the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research) provided specialized reports covering agriculture, forestry, disease and infection, and animal welfare related to reindeer transport. The broader assessment includes 13 additional reports addressing public health, outdoor life, greenhouse gas emissions, cultural heritage, biodiversity, tourism, and wild reindeer habitats.

The proposed area meets the technical and biological requirements for winter grazing. However, the assessment highlights significant potential conflicts of interest for reindeer owners, landowners, and adjacent reindeer husbandry operations. It also notes environmental challenges concerning wild reindeer habitats. The use of this area would require reindeer to be transported by truck over distances of 240 to 360 kilometers during spring and autumn migrations.