Interest groups closely involved in forest conservation projects

The report describes the most important forest conservation processes in Finland and the participation of various interest groups, NGOs and citizens in these. In recent years new opportunities have been opened for the interest groups to take part in the planning of forestry. It is hoped that the report will increase the awareness of the principal market partners of the forest industry concerning the strong, participatory operating culture in Finnish forestry.

The report covers five processes relating to the use and conservation of forests that were under way in 2005: Natura 2000, Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland METSO, the steering and planning system for State forests, harmonisation of forestry and reindeer husbandry in Upper Lapland, and conservation of old-growth forests in northern Finland.

According to the report, alarge number of interest groups had the opportunity to participate in the planning and implementation of each of these processes. For example, the number of parties involved in the preparation and realisation of the METSO Programme has been close to one hundred.

One special feature in the Upper Lapland process is the large number of communication channels. For several decades efforts to find a balance between the interests of forestry and reindeer husbandry have been made through local negotiations. The most recent action programme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry aimed to harmonise forestry and reindeer husbandry in Upper Lapland consists of seven measures, to which the contributions of reindeer herders, forest owners and several other parties have been welcome.

Further information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry:

Director-General Aarne Reunala, tel. +358-(0)9-160 53350, 0400 437 222

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