Saami reindeer herders and Finnish governmental forest enterprise Metsahallitus have agreed on a deal concerning the long-lasting dispute on reindeer grazing forests in northenmost Finland. Almost 80 % of the forests defined as important by reindeer herders and Greenpeace in 2002 have now been set outside of forestry either permanently or for the next 20 years. This is the result of recent negotiations and earlier protection decisions since 2006.
Greenpeace and reindeer herders started their joint campaign for reindeer grazing forests in 2002. Last eight years saw intensive campaigning for these northernmost pine forests in the world, located 300 kilometres North of Arctic Circle in the Homeland of indigenous Saami people. Protests and demonstrations were held in Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. Customers of the Finnish paper industry around Europe have demanded a solution to the dispute. Saami reindeer herders launched court cases against logging in Finland...