Sveaskog on reduced logging: Has not been successful in consultations with the Sami villages

Pajala municipality and Juto's timber hosted the discussion meeting that was held in Pajala People's House on Monday evening.

State forestry company Sveaskog's regional manager in Norrbotten, Ulf Nilsson, had the opportunity to explain why the decision has been made to reduce logging by 45 percent in Norrbotten during 2023.

- There are deadlocks in the co-planning with Sami villages which means that we have not been able to get rid of the areas we had planned for, he says.

Reflects over-harvesting

Also at the meeting were representatives of the Nature Conservation Association in Norrbotten and Skogsupproret.

The latter gained attention two years ago in connection with actions where they tried to stop logging in reindeer grazing areas.

Maj Aspebo at the Nature Conservation Association believed that Sveaskog blames the situation on the Sami people when in fact it is about Sveaskog having over-harvested for several years.

That claim was refuted by Sveaskog.

Concern for the business world

At the meeting there were also representatives from haulage companies, forest contractors and the banks in Pajala who expressed concern about what reduced felling could mean for business.

Pajala heating plant is also dependent on the sawmills because the residual products are used as fuel

In the clip you hear voices from the forest meeting in Pajala.