Hunters Rage Against New Hunting Law: "Biased Selection"

The proposal that the Sami villages will eventually control hunting and fishing in the mountain areas is met with sharp criticism from several instances. Several demand that the inquiry starts over from the beginning.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 11 2024

Hunters Rage Against New Hunting Law: "Biased Selection"
Photo: Johan Hallnäs/TT

The proposal that the Sami villages will eventually control hunting and fishing in the mountain regions is met with sharp criticism from several instances. Several are demanding that the inquiry starts from scratch.

The loaded question of who should allocate hunting and fishing rights in the reindeer herding areas was put to the test when Girjas Sami village in Gällivare municipality won over the state in 2020. The Supreme Court ruled that the Sami village – not the state – had the decisive power, as a consequence of ancient usage.

With the ruling, it became clear that the legislation needed to be reviewed. The proposal that has been out for consultation implies that other Sami villages will eventually have the same responsibility for hunting and fishing as Girjas has. Alternatively, local associations can take the responsibility. However, until the new law is in place, the county administrative boards should continue to issue permits for hunting and fishing, according to the Renmark Committee's partial report.

The proposal has sparked criticism from, among others, hunting circles. The Swedish Hunters' Association rejects the report and criticises the inquiry for having a "skewed selection of facts" in its historical account. The only sustainable solution is continued state management, according to the association. The Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management is also critical, writing in its consultation response that the inquiry has caused "flaring conflicts".

There is also criticism from Sportfiskarna, which claims that the Girjas ruling has led to the general public being excluded from fishing in the Sami village's area. Only those who can pay dearly get fishing opportunities. If the inquiry is to continue, it must be given new and clear directives that all interests must be highlighted, demands Sportfiskarna.

Härjedalen municipality and tourist companies in Destination Funäsfjällen go a step further and demand that the inquiry is scrapped. "Entrepreneurs in the tourism industry see with concern how, for example, hunting and fishing are not managed by an objective state organisation," it states in the consultation responses.

Region Norrbotten wants, like Sportfiskarna, to see a restart. A sustainable solution is needed for how the lands are used, but it requires the Renmark Committee to take a broader approach and highlight the consequences for different groups of entrepreneurs and private individuals.

Until then, the county administrative boards should continue to have responsibility for hunting and fishing rights, according to the region. "The Sami villages consist of business-driven economic associations where only reindeer owners have influence and decision-making power. Moreover, it is worth noting that only a small proportion of Sweden's Sami population owns reindeer," the region writes.

Anna Lena Wallström/TT

Facts: Sami villages vs the state

TT

The free small-game hunting in the mountain regions has led to protests from the Sami community. They have, among other things, claimed that they are best suited to decide where hunting can take place without disturbing the reindeer.

Girjas Sami village sued the state in 2009 and claimed the right to solely control hunting and fishing within the Sami village's area above the cultivation boundary.

The case went to the Supreme Court, which in 2020 ruled in favour of Girjas Sami village, and established that it is the Sami village, not the state, that has the right to allocate small-game hunting and fishing on the grounds of ancient usage.

The Renmark Committee has been investigating a new reindeer herding law since 2021, which is to be compatible with the conclusions of the Girjas ruling. A partial report was submitted in August last year.

Four other Sami villages – Ran, Sirges, Unna Tjerusj, and Baste – announced in May this year that they do not want to wait for a possible law change and are suing the state to obtain the same rights as Girjas.

The Renmark Committee is to submit its final report in May 2025.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Man in His 50s Killed
1 MIN READ

Man in His 50s Killed by Falling Beam in Mölndal Workplace Accident

Swedish Teen Found Guilty of
2 MIN READ

Swedish Teen Found Guilty of Attempted Murder in Copenhagen

Sweden Proposes Stricter Deportation Rules
3 MIN READ

Sweden Proposes Stricter Deportation Rules for Misconduct

Man Arrested in Norrköping Murder
1 MIN READ

Man Arrested in Norrköping Murder Investigation

Death in Fjärås Ruled Non-Criminal
1 MIN READ

Death in Fjärås Ruled Non-Criminal After Investigation

Swedish Armed Forces Ordered to
1 MIN READ

Swedish Armed Forces Ordered to Pay for PFAS Cleanup in Uppsala

Swedish Man Charged in Copenhagen
1 MIN READ

Swedish Man Charged in Copenhagen Murder Disguised as Courier

Gender Gap in Sick Leave:
3 MIN READ

Gender Gap in Sick Leave: Women Face Double Workload Challenges

Sweden's April Fools' Day: Elk
2 MIN READ

Sweden's April Fools' Day: Elk Cavalry and Studio Swap Pranks

Sweden Ends Spruce Bark Beetle
2 MIN READ

Sweden Ends Spruce Bark Beetle Control as Threat Diminishes

Drought Shifts Earth's Axis and
3 MIN READ

Drought Shifts Earth's Axis and Raises Sea Levels, Study Finds

Örebro Doctor Sentenced to 7
1 MIN READ

Örebro Doctor Sentenced to 7 Years for Sexual Assaults on Patients

Swedish Journalist's Detention in Turkey
1 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist's Detention in Turkey Raises Legal Concerns

Woman Hospitalized After Villa Fire
1 MIN READ

Woman Hospitalized After Villa Fire Near Älvsbyn

Sölvesborg Man in Custody for
1 MIN READ

Sölvesborg Man in Custody for Alleged Online Child Sex Crimes

Report Highlights High Rates of
1 MIN READ

Report Highlights High Rates of Relationship Violence Among Young Girls

Hedgehogs Reveal High Lead and
1 MIN READ

Hedgehogs Reveal High Lead and Pollutant Levels in Swedish Study

Skåne Region Ends Krys Contract,
1 MIN READ

Skåne Region Ends Krys Contract, Seeks 19 Million Kronor Refund

Summer House Buyers Urged to
3 MIN READ

Summer House Buyers Urged to Consider Climate Risks in Sweden

Truck Collision in Sweden Sparks
1 MIN READ

Truck Collision in Sweden Sparks Drunk Driving Investigation

Kristersson Praises Brandberg's Efforts on
1 MIN READ

Kristersson Praises Brandberg's Efforts on Gender Equality and Safety

Key Leaders Exit as The
2 MIN READ

Key Leaders Exit as The Liberals Face Leadership Changes

Paulina Brandberg Steps Down as
3 MIN READ

Paulina Brandberg Steps Down as Minister to Prioritize Family Life

Virtual Reality Offers New Hope
5 MIN READ

Virtual Reality Offers New Hope for Phantom Pain Relief

Sweden Delays Joining Global Ocean
2 MIN READ

Sweden Delays Joining Global Ocean Protection Treaty

Sweden Allocates 71 Million Kronor
2 MIN READ

Sweden Allocates 71 Million Kronor to Support Helicopter Rescue Services

Social Democrats Propose State Investment
1 MIN READ

Social Democrats Propose State Investment Bank to Boost Growth

Green Party Proposes Emissions Trading
2 MIN READ

Green Party Proposes Emissions Trading to Replace Reduction Obligation

Västra Götaland Director Steps Down
1 MIN READ

Västra Götaland Director Steps Down After Journal System Setback

Sweden Unveils Largest Military Aid
2 MIN READ

Sweden Unveils Largest Military Aid Package to Ukraine

Sweden Boosts Workplace Inspections to
2 MIN READ

Sweden Boosts Workplace Inspections to Combat Rising Crime

Man Faces Charges for Online
1 MIN READ

Man Faces Charges for Online Child Sexual Offenses in Sweden

Man Sentenced to Psychiatric Care
3 MIN READ

Man Sentenced to Psychiatric Care for Ica Maxi Employee Murder

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After
2 MIN READ

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After Arrest in Turkey

Rise in Children Contacting Bris
1 MIN READ

Rise in Children Contacting Bris About Eating Disorders Concerns Experts

Sweden Sees Lowest Deadly Violence
2 MIN READ

Sweden Sees Lowest Deadly Violence Cases in a Decade

New Tool Empowers Parents to
1 MIN READ

New Tool Empowers Parents to Combat Online Grooming Risks

Elderly Man's Death in Ale
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man's Death in Ale Sparks Murder Investigation

Prince Carl Philip's Secret Alias
1 MIN READ

Prince Carl Philip's Secret Alias Exposed in Sportadmin Data Breach

Child Abuse Images Discovered on
1 MIN READ

Child Abuse Images Discovered on Computer at Swedish Repair Shop