Act on compensations for damages caused by protected species

The Ministry of the Environment is preparing a new act on compensations for damages caused by protected species and prevention of such damages. In particular, during the past decade there has been a considerable increase in damages caused by protected bird species, and the aim of the act to be prepared is to develop and clarify the regulation on compensations for these damages.

The objective of the act will be to:

  • Clarify the procedures for the granting and payment of compensations and the related control.
  • Develop measures to prevent damages.
  • Include the provisions concerning damages caused by all protected species in the same act.

Timetable and a project group for the preparation of the act

The Ministry of the Environment has appointed a broad-based project group with representatives of public bodies and stakeholders to prepare the act. The project group works under the steering group appointed to coordinate the reform of the nature conservation legislation.

The work of the project group is to start in February 2020. The aim for the project group is to complete the Government proposal for the act by the end of 2020. A more detailed timetable will be presented in the early part of 2020.

Procedure to compensate for damages caused by protected species at present

At present provisions on the procedures to compensate for damages caused by protected species are laid down by the Decision of the Ministry of the Environment on Subsidies Payable to Compensate for Damages Caused by Protected Rare Species (1626/1991, amended by 838/2010) and the Government Decree on Compensations for Damages to Reindeer Husbandry Caused by Golden Eagle (8/2002, amended by 997/2019)

Further information