The new list of protected species, which the government is not publishing in full, includes just over 230 species, compared with just under 300 previously.
Today's nature conservation is blunt - an acutely endangered species is protected just as much as a meadow flower, and we want to change that, says Minister for Climate and Environment Romina Pourmokhtari (L) at a press conference.
Opens up for more forestry
The government is also introducing a new regulatory framework for species protection with four protection categories: strict protection, enhanced protection, basic protection and limited protection. At the same time, two exceptions and one exemption are being introduced to facilitate agriculture and forestry and to "satisfy essential societal interests" such as energy production and defence.
If you as a landowner can show that you will not harm the species, you can still use the land, says Pourmokhtari.
All Swedish frogs, reptiles and orchids will continue to be protected on the new list. Species that will be protected for the first time include hedgehogs, herbaceous lichens, hairy thorn mushrooms and eel. More pollinating insects, such as wasps and butterflies, will also be protected. One example is the black-bellied toadstool.
Species that are being removed are bluebell, goldenrod and ivy, which are considered viable and can therefore be picked from November 1. 102 species remain from before, 130 species are new and 182 species that have been protected are being removed.
We are broadening the protection in certain ways, but the list should not be long just for the sake of being long, says Pourmokhtari.
The hedgehog has disappeared
The knee-root, one of Sweden's orchids, will receive less extensive protection than before, which will allow for further forestry.
The hedgehog is classified as vulnerable on the red list and its population is estimated to have been halved in 15 years. When asked why nothing has been done earlier to protect the hedgehog, the Minister for Climate and Environment replies that it is “a very good question”.
These assessments are based on reporting and I hope we see greater engagement now from the public, she says.
