Minister of Agriculture and Food Sandra Borch has been to Nordland to meet reindeer herders who have been affected by the grazing crisis.
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"There is a great deal of seriousness in the situation, but it is good to see that the reindeer get food and look healthy and well. The reindeer herders make a great effort in a demanding situation", says Sandra Borch.
In November and December came the first reports of very difficult grazing conditions in reindeer husbandry. The situation has worsened over the winter, large amounts of ice and snow prevent the reindeer from getting food. About 150,000 reindeer have been affected.
The emergency preparedness committees in Nordland and in Troms and Finnmark have declared a grazing crisis in several districts. Feed is delivered to the reindeer herds in all these districts.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food visited Ildgruben grazing district by Tverrvatnet in Nordland. Here she saw the reindeer herders drive out pellets to the animals.
"It is something completely different to see this with your own eyes than to read about it in a report", says Borch. "It is important for me to talk to those who every day experience the challenges of the grazing crisis, and I just have to praise them for the work they do."
Once the emergency preparedness committees have declared a grazing crisis, the reindeer herders can apply for a subsidy to buy feed. Additional funds have been set aside for this through the reindeer husbandry agreement. The parties to the agreement agreed on a rate of NOK 4.50 per reindeer per day for the purchase and transport of feed.
During the inspection, the reindeer herders in Ildgruben were able to tell the Minister that there is enough fodder to obtain and that the system of crisis preparedness works. However, they emphasized that the crisis is not over in many weeks and that more money may be needed for the crisis fund.
"I have good contact with the emergency preparedness committees in reindeer husbandry and will follow the situation closely in the time to come", says the Minister of Agriculture and Food. ■