Finland’s CAP Strategic Plan approved
The European Commission has approved Finland’s CAP Strategic Plan for 2023–2027. Finland’s CAP Strategic Plan is one of the seven plans first approved by the Commission. The CAP Strategic Plan and answers to the Commission’s comments and questions on the plan are available on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Many of the measures implemented during the previous programming period, such as coupled support, aid for young farmers, investments by farms and rural enterprises, local development of rural areas and payments for areas suffering from natural constraints, are included in the new CAP Strategic Plan as well. In the new plan, a particular focus will be on supporting active food production.
The impact of climate and environmental measures will be strengthened and funds will be earmarked for these to ensure that the targets will be reached. Farmers are encouraged to taken even more strongly focused climate and environmental measures.
The share of businesses funding and funding for rural development projects and local development in the package of rural development measures will increase. More funding will also be targeted to advice, training and communication, as well as to cooperation, innovation and digitalisation.
The new CAP Strategic Plan no longer includes the payment entitlement system in the direct payments, and the payment entitlements will be abolished at the end of 2022. In the earlier scheme the farmer needed payment entitlements e.g. to receive the basic payments. In future, the basic income payments will be based on the eligible area, with no payment entitlement system in place.
“I am very pleased that the Commission has now approved Finland’s CAP Strategic Plan, after the long process of preparation work and negotiations. This will bring stability and predictability for farmers for many years to come. The good package of funding provided by the new plan means continuity for farmers and creates a sustainable foundation and new opportunities for developing rural industries. The situation with respect to the security of supply will be monitored on a regular basis and the realisation of food security will be ensured in a comprehensively sustainable manner during the CAP period,” says Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Antti Kurvinen.
Now that the Commission has approved the CAP Strategic Plan, proposals for the national acts will be submitted to Parliament. Subordinate legislation issued under these acts will be finalised and the necessary information systems built. The implementation of the CAP Strategic Plan will start on 1 January 2023, and it will proceed in stages.
Inquiries:
Pertti Hakanen, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 295 162 322
Minna-Mari Kaila, Director General, tel. +358 295 162 013
