Aland 2018

Yearbook 2018

Aland. The traditional Åland spring hunt for eider cocks, guding, became an issue for the EU during the year. In March, the European Commission drew Finland to the European Court of Justice with reference to the EU Birds Directive, which prohibits hunting of migratory birds during breeding and rearing of youngsters. However, the Åland Provincial Government decided that this year’s hunt should be completed with the quota of 2,000 deities in May.

In 2010, lots of champagne was found in a shipwreck on the seabed outside Åland. There has since been a plan to mix the wreck campaign with freshly produced champagne and invite the Ålanders at the autonomous centenary anniversary of 2022. But that will not happen. An expert analysis during the year showed that the almost two centuries old champagne is not drinkable but may become a museum object.

When the UK leaves the EU, Finland gets an extra mandate in the European Parliament and the provincial government expected that place to be vacated for Åland. But at the end of the year, it was clear that Åland will not be given its own mandate in the European Parliament.