Reindeer herding cooperatives reject Metsähallitus natural resource plan

The Association of Reindeer Herding Cooperatives (Paliskuntain yhdistys) has withdrawn from Metsähallitus’s Lapland natural resource plan covering 2026–2031, according to Yle.

Matti Riipi, chair of the association’s board, said the decision stems from frustration with Metsähallitus’s planning process. The cooperatives believe that cumulative effects of logging, energy projects, mining and tourism are hitting reindeer herding too hard.

“Major guidelines should have been negotiable on a cooperative-by-cooperative basis, so the special characteristics and land-use needs of reindeer herding could be taken into account,” Riipi said.

Samuli Myllymäki, regional director of forestry at Metsähallitus, said each cooperative is considered during the planning phase of operations. He stressed that cooperation between Metsähallitus and the cooperatives will continue. “Cooperative-specific logging calculations as part of natural resource planning have only been done in the Sámi homeland area. When we plan logging, soil preparation or road construction, we discuss with the cooperatives and they have the opportunity to influence matters,” Myllymäki said.

The natural resource plan defines goals for state-owned land and water areas, including forestry logging targets, biodiversity protection, recreational use and property development. It covers state-administered land and water areas in Lapland south of the Sámi homeland, encompassing more than 20 cooperatives either wholly or partly. Planning began last autumn.

Hanna Nurmi, executive director of the association, emphasised that Metsähallitus’s operations restrict reindeer herding in multiple ways. “Metsähallitus’s logging is largely focused on the green zone, which also faces mining activity. The cumulative impacts are massive. Reindeer herding no longer has room to give way,” Nurmi said.

The plan is expected to be finalised in summer 2026 despite the association’s withdrawal. “The fear now is that the lack of discussion and land-use pressure will later cause local conflicts because issues have not been addressed jointly during the planning phase,” Riipi said.