FSC welcomes progress in dialogue on forest management and Sámi rights in Sweden

Forest management and the rights of Sámi reindeer herding communities remain an important topic of discussion in Sweden, including in relation to FSC certification and the ongoing revision of the Swedish Forest Stewardship Standard.

A new agreement between Swedish forest industry company SCA and the Swedish Sámi National Association (SSR) has been recently announced. Its aim includes improving planning processes, increasing consideration for reindeer husbandry in forest operations, and supporting long-term coexistence between forestry and traditional Sámi land use.

“While FSC has not been directly involved in the dialogue between SSR and SCA, we welcome the agreement as a constructive step forward”, says Anders Esselin, Chair of Board FSC Sweden. 

Meaningful engagement between certificate holders, Sámi communities, and their representative organisations is essential to ensure that forest management aligns with FSC’s environmental and social requirements, including the protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights and the application of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).

FSC will continue to follow developments in Sweden closely as work progresses on strengthening forest management standards and practices, including through the revision of Sweden’s National Forest Stewardship Standard.

Read our latest statement on strengthening Sweden’s National Forest Stewardship Standard here.