Reindeer Herders’ Association

The Reindeer Herders’ Association is the steering, advisory and expert organisation for reindeer husbandry.

According to the Reindeer Husbandry Act (RHA 848/1990) the tasks of the Reindeer Herders’ Association include:

1) To act as a link between reindeer herding co-operatives;

2) To develop reindeer herding and the reindeer economy;

3) To promote research in reindeer herding, experiments concerning reindeer herding, and reindeer breeding; and

4) To undertake all other tasks laid down as its duties. (RHA 20.1 §)

Reindeer Herders’ Association:

• Provides advices for cooperatives, reindeer herders, stakeholders and citizens in questions related to reindeer
• Publishes Reindeer herder –magazine and other material related to reindeer husbandry
• Organises events related to negotiations, communications and training
• Makes legislative and governance initiatives advancing the development of reindeer husbandry and the related industry
• Advances cooperation between cooperatives
• Influences other livelihoods and stakeholders related to reindeer husbandry to maintain favourable operational conditions for reindeer herding
• Promotes reindeer husbandry and related research, and maintains Kutuharju Field Research Station
• Maintains reindeer fences along national borders
• Maintains register of earmarks and approves new ones

All reindeer herding cooperatives are members of the Association by law.

Reindeer herding cooperatives use their decision-making powers at the Association’s General meeting (RHA 20.2 §). The board of the Association and the General meeting approve annually the annual reports that also include the tasks of the Association. The General meeting (the Reindeer parliament) is held once a year, in the beginning of June.

Reindeer Herders’ Association is responsible of its performance for the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in Lapland.

The annually made performance agreement states the tasks of the Association more specifically.