Strategies and measures in reindeer husbandry policy

Objectives of reindeer policy

• Prioritize ecological sustainability in the Reindeer Husbandry Act's statement of purpose.
• The Sami Parliament and Norwegian Sami Reindeer Herders' Association are invited to join in the work of reviewing the contents of the triple objective of reindeer policy. 

A better resource management

• Stock figures for individual owners are to be published internally in the industry, and there will be a gradual introduction of mandatory individual marking.
• Facilitate the use of available technology in resource management and operations, in order to e.g. reducing loss due to train accidents.
• Continue work on loss reduction measures, focusing on professional reindeer as well as predator management.
• Adapt reindeer husbandry area emergency services to a situation with variable weather and pasture conditions.
• Take measures to reduce the risk of spreading Chronic wasting disease (CWD) to reindeer industry livestock. 

The value chain in reindeer husbandry

• Facilitate increased value by private butchering and sale of reindeer meat. Consumers must be guaranteed access to safe food, and processing waste must be handled in an environmentally responsible manner.
• Strengthen marketing by ensuring better reporting on butchered reindeer, and regarding high meat quality through the new classification system.
• Facilitate increased professionalization of the reindeer meat industry through continued skills acquisition and business development assistance, and market orientation.
• Continue to assist in enhancing the culinary aspect of reindeer-based tourism.
• Facilitate easier export procedures for spin-off products to high-return markets.

Family based reindeer husbandry

• Contribute to a positive development of the family-based reindeer husbandry by allowing a portion of the revenue to be obtained from activities related to reindeer herding.
• Facilitate the creation of education and health care services and various tourism products related to reindeer husbandry. 

The Annual Reindeer Agreement

• Prioritize strengthening the business aspect by measures to stimulate ecologically sustainable, production-oriented, profitable and market-oriented development of reindeer husbandry.
• Give priority to linking the direct subsidy schemes to the classification system to reward best practices and production of high quality meat. 

Grazing in the border areas

• Work actively with Swedish authorities to agree on a renewed reindeer grazing convention between Norway and Sweden as soon as possible.
• Follow up new Norwegian-Finnish reindeer fence Convention, such as erecting a border fence between the two countries. 

Reindeer Industry Management

• Aim to further streamline and simplify bureaucracy. Alternative solutions for a future management structure are presented, particularly regarding the function and role of the Reindeer Husbandry Board.