The Norwegian forest concession law of 1909 and concession policy 1909–28

Abstract

This paper employs a case study of the Norwegian forest concession law of 1909 and concession policy from 1909–28 to examine the expansion of state resource regulation at the start of the 1900s. The case is studied by examining the main aims of the law and what concession policy was conducted for forests between 1909–28. The forest concession law of 1909 regulated the sale of forests, requiring all buyers of forest property larger than municipal limits to acquire concession. Strict limitations were set on domestic companies’ ability to purchase forests, while foreign companies were effectively barred. Non-local Norwegian citizens were also required to acquire concession. The forest concession law had four aims: (1) Improve local political and economic conditions, (2) Stop foreign acquisitions of forests, (3) Avoid monopolies and unhealthy competition, (4) Avoid speculation on forests. The Norwegian forest concession policy was, in nearly the entire period, to support local and municipal forest ownership and restrict both foreign and domestic companies’ ownership of forests. The law was similar to Finnish and Swedish forest regulations in promoting social goals such as protecting farmers and crofters but was somewhat more protective than the Finnish and Swedish regulations.