Organization of Forestry
Forests and other woodlands cover approximately 37%, of the Norwegian mainland almost 23% of this is regarded as productive forest. The productive forest is divided into 125,000 forest properties. About 79% of the productive forest belongs to private owners. In Norwegian forestry, unlike forestry in other European countries, forests can at the same time be used as agricultural land. In that case, the average size of the forest property is about 36ha.
There is also big private forest property too. The state has a small share of the total public forest, about 12%, not on poor sites. That 12% of the total area produces less than 7% of the annual cut. The Ministry of Agriculture is mainly responsible for the forest sector. Other Ministries and Institutions actively involved in forest management are the Ministry of the Environment, county and municipal forest authorities and the State Forest Service.
The Forest and Forest Protection Act (1965, with later amendments) is the main legal framework for forest management. Other laws regulating the forest sector are the Nature Conservation Act.
There is also big private forest property too. The state has a small share of the total public forest, about 12%, not on poor sites. That 12% of the total area produces less than 7% of the annual cut. The Ministry of Agriculture is mainly responsible for the forest sector. Other Ministries and Institutions actively involved in forest management are the Ministry of the Environment, county and municipal forest authorities and the State Forest Service.
The Forest and Forest Protection Act (1965, with later amendments) is the main legal framework for forest management. Other laws regulating the forest sector are the Nature Conservation Act.
In Norway, organizations of forest owners have a crucial role. One of the biggest and oldest is the Norwegian Forest Owners' Federation. The history of the organization covers almost one century (it started in 1913). It is a cooperative association consisting of 8 district co-operatives and 368 local societies with 44.000 co-owners throughout Norway. The co-operative is an economic organization involved in promoting round wood and other forest products and in providing training opportunities for its members. The organization is also a considerable shareholder in Norwegian forest industries aiming at ensuring markets for its products. The organisation also publishes a monthly magazine titled "Skogeieren" (The Forest Owner).
Norwegian forests have been exploited intensively for export of roundwood, sawn timber and wood tar for hundreds of years. In addition, there is a long tradition of using forests for grazing domestic animal and hunting game.
Grazing (cows, sheep, goats) in Norwegian forests is common. The majority of private forests are fenced in order to prevent livestock from escaping. Fencing does not prevent access to the forest. Access to the forests is for free (driving, horse riding need special permission). Another Nordic habit is moose (elk) hunting. In Norway 40,000 – 50,000 of moose are hunted every year. Moreover, there is always the wild reindeer, a game species also typical in the region. In Northern part of Norway, in tundra rather than in forests, herding of domesticated reindeer is also very popular.
Norwegian forests have been exploited intensively for export of roundwood, sawn timber and wood tar for hundreds of years. In addition, there is a long tradition of using forests for grazing domestic animal and hunting game.
Grazing (cows, sheep, goats) in Norwegian forests is common. The majority of private forests are fenced in order to prevent livestock from escaping. Fencing does not prevent access to the forest. Access to the forests is for free (driving, horse riding need special permission). Another Nordic habit is moose (elk) hunting. In Norway 40,000 – 50,000 of moose are hunted every year. Moreover, there is always the wild reindeer, a game species also typical in the region. In Northern part of Norway, in tundra rather than in forests, herding of domesticated reindeer is also very popular.