Government Decree on Game Animal Damages (No. 367 of 2010)

NB: Unofficial translation Legally binding texts are those in Finnish and Swedish Government Decree on Game Animal Damages (367/2010) Chapter 1 – Damage to forest caused by cervids Section 1 – Tree species-specific damage categories (1) The tree species-specific damage categories for damage caused by cervids to seedling stand and semi-mature stand are given in Annex 1 (in Finnish and Swedish only). Section 2 – Determining the calculated current value of a seedling stand (1) The magnitude of damage caused to a seedling stand is determined by the summation approach as the expected value on the basis of the current values of the expected revenue. The calculation formulae used in determining the current value of a seedling stand are given in Annex 2 (in Finnish and Swedish only). Section 3 – Determining the calculated current value of a semi-mature stand (1) The magnitude of damage caused to a semi-mature stand is determined as the loss of the added expected value of the damaged trees. The calculation formulae used in determining the current value of a semi-mature stand are given in Annex 3 (in Finnish and Swedish only). (2) Compensation is calculated on the basis of trees damaged by cervids which would be left standing in the next thinning. If the trees to be removed in the next thinning cannot be specified with sufficient certainty, the compensation is calculated for all tress damaged by cervids. Section 4 – Auxiliary tables (1) The auxiliary tables for the assessment by forestry centres to be used in calculating the compensations for damage caused by moose are given in Annex 4 to the Decree (in Finnish and Swedish only). Chapter 2– Damage to reindeer Section 5 – Values relating to compensation for loss of calves (1) The calving percentage of the reindeer herding area is 90 per cent of the number of female reindeer. (2) Calf mortality percentage per reindeer herding cooperative and the calculation and classification criteria are given in Annex 5 (in Finnish and Swedish only). Section 6 – Exceptionally large damage to reindeer (1) Specific compensation for damage to reindeer may be paid to reindeer herding cooperatives where the damages to reindeer over the past three years relative to the total number of reindeer left alive at round-ups and slaughtered reindeer is more than 3 per cent. Section 7 – Field inspection of damage to reindeer (1) A field inspection of damage to reindeer should be organised especially when: 2 1) a significant number of reindeer are found dead or injured after the damage event; or 2) damage is targeted frequently to the same applicant or area. (2) The municipal rural business authority is responsible for the costs of the expert used in a field inspection of damage to reindeer. Section 8 – Charges to be collected on a field inspection of damage to reindeer (1) The municipal rural business authority may collect a charge for performing a field inspection only in cases where the notification of damage has been manifestly unfounded. In such a case a charge amounting to the absorption cost but no more than 250 euros may be collected from the party who notified the damage for the field inspection of damage to reindeer and assessment of damage. Section 9 – Compensating for the costs of the municipal rural business authority (1) The rural business authority is compensated for the costs of organising field inspections of damage to reindeer from the funds allocated in the State budget for compensating for damage caused by carnivores. (2) The municipal rural business authority may be compensated for the costs of performing a field inspection and assessment of damage to reindeer up to the charge amounting to the absorption cost but no more than 250 euros. (3) The costs of the municipal rural business authority are compensated for at the end of the calendar year. The application is filed to the Finnish Agency for Rural Affairs. Section 10 – Maximum amount of compensations for damage to reindeer and costs of field inspections (1) If damages to reindeer and the costs of the related field inspections exceed the maximum amount of funds allocated in the State budget, both the damages and inspection costs are cut by the same percentage share. (2) The compensations to the municipal rural business authority for performing several field inspections may not exceed 500 euros per day. (3) The compensations to the municipal rural business authority for performing field inspections of damage to reindeer during the whole calendar year may not exceed: 1) 12 000 euros in the municipalities of Enontekiö, Inari, Kittilä and Sodankylä; and 2) 8 000 euros in the other municipalities of the reindeer herding area. Chapter 3 – Entry into force Section 11 – Entry into force This Decree enters into force on 21 May 2010.