Sheep farmers urge: Sheep farms must be completely free of polar bears

Text by Nina-Vivi Møller Andersen

04 July 2024

The Sheep Farmers' Association (SPS) held a general meeting on June 28, where one of the most important decisions was to recommend Naalakkersuisut to increase the polar bear quota in South Greenland. Life as a sheep farmer has become more precarious due to polar bears. 

More and more polar bears are coming to sheep farms when the Sikorsuit sea ice arrives. This is a big problem as polar bears increase the insecurity of living in remote places as sheep farmers. The sheep farmers have therefore decided to call on Naalakkersuisut to increase the polar bear quota in South Greenland. 

During the general assembly, 31 sheep farmers out of 36 sheep farmers voted in favor of increasing the polar bear quota in South Greenland, while the rest of the sheep farmers could not participate due to the huge amount of ice.

- For many years, sheep farmers and their children have lived safely on their sheep farms, but in recent years we have experienced uncertainty, fear and anxiety among sheep farmers. A situation that should be taken seriously, especially for families with children. We are also losing lambs, sheep and horses that are of great value to us. But the ones we lose are not looked at extraordinarily, said Otto Nielsen from Tasiluk, who is a board member of SPS during the general meeting.

Polar bears must be caught by local hunters

The quota of polar bears in South Greenland is four, the quota for this year was used up during the spring and for the rest of the year, polar bears that come close to settlements must be chased away. However, when the sheep farmers chase a polar bear away from a site, the next sheep farmer is affected as their farms are not far apart. This is a very difficult situation for the farmers.

- The polar bears that are coming come from Northeast Greenland. They come with the Sikorsuit sea ice and they are usually very difficult to chase away. When more and more polar bears come to the sheep farms, it is very difficult to chase them away, so we call for the polar bear quota in South Greenland to be raised. That way we can reduce the number of polar bears at the sheep farms," said Otto Nielsen during the general meeting.

The sheep farmers also believe that hunters should catch the polar bears, as they are the hunters' livelihood. When the quota is raised, it is also expected that fewer polar bears will come to the sheep farms.

Difficult times for sheep farmers 

Recent years have been problematic for sheep farmers. The massive snow that fell last year has had a major impact on them. Many sheep and lambs have been lost and sheep have found it difficult to nurse due to inflammation after the harsh winter. This will result in a reduced supply to the slaughterhouse. 

- The goal was to purchase 23,000 lambs and sheep this year, but this will not be achieved. As you know, there was unusually high snowfall last fall, which unfortunately resulted in large losses of animals in some sheep farms. And due to fewer animals, lamb purchases this year will be lower than expected, SPS Chairman Suulut Hansen explained during the meeting.

The loss does not end here. The fields have also been affected after the massive snowfall in November 2023. The crops that have been planted in the fields in the previous year have not blossomed and this affects the sheep farmers as they have to buy extra feed for the animals.

Party for citizens in Qaqortoq 

The end of June was a busy week for sheep farmers and agriculturalists, including the processing of an ordinance in the Agricultural Act, a meeting of the Agricultural Council, a meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Service and finally the SPS general meeting.

After the meetings, the sheep farmers held the traditional social events in towm on Saturday. During the day, there was a gathering outside the sports hall where there was tug-of-war and football for city teams and sheep farmer teams. In the evening, there was a communal dinner where, among other things, prizes were awarded.

The agricultural advisory service and SPS handed out awards. The most important went to the couple: Makkak and Lars Nielsen from Kangerluarsorujuk. They have been sheep farmers for over 50 years and have had a great influence in promoting the profession for sheep farmers. They were also made honorary members of SPS.

Malene and Frederik Egede from Igaliku have also become honorary members of SPS, but unfortunately they could not attend due to the extreme Sikorsuit sea ice.

After the first awards were handed out, there were also awards for sheep farmers who have made an effort to have the highest weight among the lambs.

First place went to: Ellen, Carl, Kuluk Frederiksen and Heidi Hjalgrimson from Qassiarsuk

Second place went to: Siiku Bjerge and Sori Paviasen from Eqaluit Akia

Third place went to: Henrik Knudsen and Elna Jensen from Qassiarsuk