Möjligheter och problem med organiserat avelsarbete inom renskötseln
The reindeer are kept in extensive pasture systems where the conditions are similar to thosefor wild reindeer. Since the reindeer have special demands on their pasture, it is difficult tokeep them in intensive production systems where they cannot graze selectively. Too manyreindeer on a small area will also facilitate spread of diseases. A selection program forreindeer needs special qualifications according to several different reasons. The purpose withthis literature review is to summarize the factors needed for a reindeer selection program andthe problems and possibilities included.Reindeer grazing right has a special meaning to the Sami and are reserved for them accordingto immemorial rights. Reindeer husbandry cannot be directly compared to the intensivesystems of other meat producing animals and there are some additional factors to keep inmind when making a selection program for reindeer. The most important factors are the use ofpasture (number of reindeer per area), herd structure (regulated by slaughter) and the geneticprogress of each individual, which can be increased by selection. The genetic progress can notbe maximized in a reindeer population in practice; predators, food resources and changes inclimate and environment from one year to another will slow down the progress.It is important to let the reindeer husbandry remain a Sami right to keep their culture andlanguage. At the same time modern tools to improve production and genetic progress in theherds should be used to keep the possibility to make a living on reindeer husbandry.