Storting, the Norwegian Parliament, in Oslo. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Knowledge such as slaughtering is crucial in crisis situations, says farmer John Inge Henriksen in Indre Billefjord. His proposal can now become part of the defense exercises.
The conflict in Ukraine is the backdrop for the soldiers in Finnmark now learning how animals are slaughtered, cut up and turned into food.
Grotesque In Many Ways
“It is grotesque in many ways, but it is a good habit,” says soldier Aron Grøtterud.
He is among the 50 soldiers gathered in a semicircle around farmer John Inge Henriksen. This is the first time many of the young people in green uniforms have participated in slaughtering.
“It is important to be ready to face different situations, especially now that there are tense times here in Europe,” says Grøtterud.
Contacted The Norwegian Armed Forces
It was farmer John Inge Henriksen who himself suggested to the Norwegian Armed Forces that they could visit his farm in Indre Billefjord in Porsanger.
“I can hardly describe how important this knowledge is. In the event of an emergency, the soldiers must learn how to survive in the field when they are not served food.”
“Slaughtering on a farm, as the soldiers learn here, is something completely different from what happens in a slaughterhouse,” says Henriksen.
“The knowledge that we village butchers have is dying out. We are a dying breed. Today, everything is slaughtered inside a facility and packaged there.”
It is one of Henriksen’s own lambs that is slaughtered first that day. The farmer starts the entire session by focusing his attention on the animal.
“I am impressed by how well they follow along, and how interested they are. It is so important that this knowledge is passed on.”
State Secretary Shows The Seriousness Of Our Situation
In addition to the soldiers, State Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Agnete Masternes Hanssen, has also made the trip to the farm in Indre Billefjord.
She believes that the knowledge the soldiers are learning today is crucial for preparedness.
“We are now living in a more turbulent security political time than in a very, very long time. And we who live here in the far north feel that seriousness a little more strongly.”
In August, the Finnmark Brigade was established, based in Porsanger, around 170 kilometers as the crow flies from Russia. This was the first time a new brigade was established since 1982.
“What we see of the build-up of the Armed Forces in Finnmark shows the seriousness of our situation,” says the State Secretary.
Local Knowledge And Total Preparedness
Masternes Hanssen praises the collaboration that farmer Henriksen and the Armed Forces have started to ensure increased food preparedness.
“It becomes even more important that we integrate the Armed Forces and civil society in teams, and that we build up total preparedness.”
She does not think this is the last time that soldiers in Finnmark participate in such a butchering course.
“What we see today is a recognition that local knowledge is absolutely crucial for total preparedness in the times we live in.”
Special Cooperation
It was Squadron Sergeant Even Antonsen who received the invitation from farmer Henriksen to teach soldiers how to slaughter.
“This is the first time we have had such good cooperation. Then we look at the possibilities of implementing this to a greater extent in exercises and other areas,” says Antonsen.
When soldiers find themselves in a state of emergency, for example by being cut off in a crisis situation, they can slaughter other people’s sheep, cows and other livestock.
“This is something you would do in an extreme emergency situation, where it is about survival. Then we can requisition an animal through emergency law.”
He shares State Secretary Masternes Hanssen’s view that local knowledge such as slaughtering is crucial for preparedness.
“Here the soldiers get to see how to use the whole animal. It is actually an art that is largely forgotten today.”
It Was A Bit Disgusting
One of the many soldiers who watched closely was Johannes Sture.
“I learned a lot, because I’ve never been involved in slaughter before. Seeing how you actually take an animal apart and drain its blood was a bit strange to see.”
And even though it was a special experience, he believes it’s important that he as a soldier learns how to handle such a situation.
“You could say it’s a bit disgusting, but if you think about survival, this is very common. This is definitely something I want to take with me.”
Source: NRK (in Norwegian)