Minister Korkeaoja: Actions of Metsähallitus in Upper Lapland fully legal

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Publication date 7.11.2005 16.09
Type:Press release -

"The actions of Metsähallitus (the Finnish State forest enterprise) in Upper Lapland, including timber acquisition and harvesting of wood, complies fully with the rules and regulations of a democratic society. Metsähallitus is not guilty of any judicial violations, but the issues concerning felling, forest conservation and position of the Sami People have all been dealt with in a proper manner. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry does not hesitate to support the actions of Metsähallitus in Upper Lapland", says the Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Juha Korkeaoja.

Minister Korkeaoja points out that "The responsibility for ensuring that all actions are in compliance with the law and regulations rests with the State government. The private enterprises must be able to rely on this in their timber acquisition operations."

In a press release published on Monday, Greenpeace accused Metsähallitus of having violated against the Finnish Constitution, Reindeer Husbandry Act and international conventions as it was harvesting timber from important reindeer herding areas.Metsähallitus considers that these allegations are without substance. Negotiations with reindeer husbandry representatives and other stakeholder groups are also under way.

Further information:

Director-General Aarne Reunala, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tel. +358-(0)9 160 53350 and 0400 437 222