You can apply for compensation for crop, animal, personal property or reindeer damage caused by large predators (wolverine, lynx, bear and wolf). The following detriments caused by large predators can be compensated for:
In order to receive compensation, report the damage to crops, animals or personal property without delay to the Rural Livelihood Authority of the location where the damage occurred. Submit the notification either electronically in the Vipu service (Predator damage compensation) or using the Finnish Food Authority’s form 131. A damage report submitted in the Vipu service or using form 131 is also an application for compensation.
The municipal Rural Livelihood Authority carries out a terrain inspection related to the damage in which they confirm and assess the damage and devise a certificate of valuation of the damage. In addition to the compensation applicant, a representative of a game management association may attend the terrain inspection, and in the event of damage to reindeer, a representative of a reindeer herding community.
If you report the damage to a municipality by telephone or email, you must also submit an application either in the Vipu service or with form 131 within one month of the completion of the assessment documents prepared by the municipality’s Rural Livelihood Authority.
The reindeer owner’s co-operative reports the damage to reindeer. If you find a reindeer killed by a large predator, you can notify the reindeer herding co-operative of the accident electronically in the Pesä application.
A notification of damage to reindeer submitted by a reindeer herding co-operative in the Pesä application or on form 149 is also a claim for compensation if you, as a reindeer owner, have authorised the reindeer herding co-operative to apply for compensation on your behalf. Otherwise, you can apply for compensation with form 149 no later than within one month of the completion of the assessment documents prepared by the municipal Rural Livelihood Authority. If no terrain inspection has been carried out, submit an application for compensation within one month after reporting the damage.
Compensation for crop, animal and personal property damage caused by large predators can be paid to each suffering party or their beneficiary. Compensation for reindeer damage caused by large predators can be paid to reindeer owners and reindeer herding co-operatives.
The Finnish Food Authority pays compensation to applicants from the appropriations granted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Compensation for damage to animals and personal property will be paid immediately after the application for compensation has been processed, and compensation for damage to reindeer and crops will be paid in the spring following the year of damage.
If compensation for reindeer damage cannot be paid in full, the amount of compensation will be reduced proportionally for each applicant. Compensation for crop, animal and personal property damage will be paid in full.