A parliamentary majority has decided that three breeding couples is enough to define a viable wolf population in Norway, and passed zones where wolves can multiply. But outside of these zones, licenses can be granted to shoot and kill straying wolves.
The policy has sparked international outrage and a suit from environmental organizations now that the culling of five wolves is in progress.
But with Norway celebrating its 100th year of independence from Sweden, an official protest from its big brother of a neighbor has brought familiar national feelings to the fore. With the exception of the Socialist Left Party, Stortinget politicians rallied to the defense of their policy and Minister of the Environment Knut Arild Hareide.
Bror Yngve Rahm, Christian Democrat and head of parliament's environment committee, was uncharacteristically aroused.
"She (Swedish Minister of the Environment Lena Sommerstad) should keep her hands off. Norwegian predator policy is decided in Norway. Her outburst is an unreasonable intervention in Norwegian policy. I am extremely annoyed," Rahm said.
Conservative politician Øyvind Halleraker said that the situation in Norway and Sweden was not comparable.
"Swedish wolves live in uninhabited wilderness. Besides, this branch of the Siberian wolf that lives here is not endangered. The Scandinavian wolf was exterminated 200 years ago," Halleraker said.
Labor's Rolf Terje Klungland felt that Sommerstad should mind her own business.
"This is dramatic meddling from the Swedish minister. She should have contacted parliament when the predator agreement was negotiated last year, but I never heard a word from the Swedes then," Klungland said.
