In recent years, the number of cases where endangered species must be taken into account has increased avalanche-like at the Swedish Forest Agency.
For forest owners, such as the Bäckström brothers north of Sollefteå, this means that their planned fellings are stopped, despite large provisions for nature conservation on their land.
– If we want to have a living countryside, we must be allowed to use the forest and if the authorities find something that needs to be protected, we should be compensated for it, says forest owner Anders Bäckström.
The number of cases related to endangered species has increased sharply in recent years. From 151 cases in 2019, the figure has risen to a whopping 525 cases (up to 20 December) for 2023. The Norwegian Forestry Agency has reacted by requesting increased resources to deal with this increasing challenge.
At the same time, it is stated that the forest owner’s responsibility to protect endangered species on his land is central, and this has sparked debate within forestry and forest owner associations.
– If you as a landowner start by finding out which potential habitats you have on your land and then find out which species can live there, you have something to start from, says Mari Hansson, process manager at the Norwegian Forestry Agency.
Three-toed woodpecker stops
A concrete example of the tangible conflict between forest owners and endangered species can be found with the Bäckström brothers. Their planned felling has been stopped by the Norwegian Forestry Agency with reference to the red-listed three-toed woodpecker.
Despite the fact that the brothers have already voluntarily set aside nearly 40 percent of their total area for nature conservation to the value of SEK 600,000, they feel opposed. The risk of a fine of SEK 1.6 million if they fell in violation of the decision has created uncertainty about future measures.
– If I submit a felling notification in a slightly older forest, it is not unbelievable that someone saw a lichen screamer or a three-toed woodpecker and then there will be a long investigation, says forest owner Anders Bäckström.
The debate about the distribution of responsibilities
Within forestry and forest owners’ associations, the increasing burden of responsibility on the part of the individual landowner arouses criticism. Many believe that the responsibility for protecting endangered species should be shared more fairly and that it should not fall heavily on the forest owners.
The discussion has thus opened up for a review of existing rules and the need for clear guidelines for compensation to the individual landowner.
– It must be ensured that it is the state’s responsibility to ensure the presence of species on the lands. It is unreasonable that the individual landowner should have that responsibility, says Jonas Eriksson, who is member manager at Norra Skog.