On the role of experts: experiences from 35 years of Chernobyl consequences in Norway

The fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl accident caused dramatic and long-lasting consequences for parts of food production in Norway, and the indigenous Sámi reindeer-herding lifestyle and culture in central Norway was particularly threatened. Banning food production - or condemning food - was considered unacceptable in a long-term perspective, and huge efforts were made to develop mitigating options. Some of these are still in place, 35 years after the accident. This article describes some of the long-term efforts made by Norwegian authorities to attempt to alleviate the consequences for the reindeer herders. Every accident and crisis is unique, and this is true for the experiences in Norway. However, some of the experiences in Norway are likely to have universal value.