Metsähallitus has adopted a new payment method for the sledge safari permits for the winter season 2022–2023. Companies can now enter into an agreement with Metsähallitus for a safari-specific payment.
Kuusamo’s program service company Ruka Safaris safari center operates in the Rukajärvi area and has to use a 2.5 kilometer company route leased from Metsähallitus for its sled safaris.
Maijanen is also indignant that Metsähallitus has practically dictated Ruka Safaris’ new contract. The previous agreement was made in the 90s.
– At Metsähallitus, someone has taken an introductory course in economics, and they remembered that a monopoly sets prices, he uploads.
According to Maijanen, Metsähallitus uses a dictation policy and pricing cannot be negotiated.
– Metsähallitus’ way of working is not in accordance with good governance. On its website, Metsähallitus emphasizes ethics, good governance and stakeholder consultation.
– I have demanded patience from Metsähallitus regarding pricing at a time like this, when energy payments and interest rates are rising. It seems unreasonable that route fees are increasing right now, Manninen says.
According to Jouko Manninen, Metsähallitus has promised to further investigate the pricing of route fees.
In the Arctic Circle, the new situation is also perceived as unfair
In addition to Rovaniemi, the program service company Lapin Safarit operates in several ski resorts elsewhere in Lapland. The company has several areas leased from Metsähallitus through which the sledding safaris go to reach the sledding routes and the bases used by the company.
According to Managing Director Rami Korhonen, the land areas have been leased from Metsähallitus and, in addition, a separate fee has been paid to Metsähallitus for their right of use agreement.
– Now, on top of the fees for these company careers, there is a safari-specific fee, which has to be paid in proportion to the use, says Korhonen.
Korhonen sees the per-safari fee for business careers as completely extra and he considers it unfair.
– From the point of view of the payer, this looks like if I were to rent you an apartment and when you have settled in it as a house, I will still inform you about the door opening fee separately, Korhonen explains his feelings.
According to CEO Korhonen, the companies are ready to pay reasonable compensation for the use of land, as has been done until now.
Metsähallitus appeals to the law and uniform practice
– The preparation was done in cooperation with, among others, Mara’s organization person, and the representatives of the operators’ interests have also been listened to.
Simplifying the permit system means that with a safari-specific off-road permit, the company can pay the off-road permit for all those going on safari at once.
Previously, the company needed a company-specific, guide-specific, and customer-specific off-road permit when customers were taken to Metsähallitus’ sled runs.
The reform requires the program service company to agree with Metsähallitus on the implementation of the system.
According to Henrik Jansson, the fact that the safari-specific fee is now also charged to businesses on leased lands is based on the law.
– The land transport permit has been an official permit since 2005, and now it was discovered that we have two different practices. We have to work with all off-road career licenses in the same way, and that’s why this change was made.
The change applies to new leases.
– Existing agreements will not be terminated, but as agreements become open, we will move to a new practice, explains Metsähallitus director of nature services Henrik Jansson.
An off-road permit is required whenever a Metsähallitus sled cart is used on safaris.
Instead, sledding is free on official sledding routes, because they are equated to public roads.
*Discuss the topic* *with Yle ID* *2.12. until 11 pm*