New organisation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

The organisation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will be reformed, with the new organisational structure taking effect in the beginning of 2026. The reform was based on the Ministry’s strategy, where the aim is that Finland will be a leading country in a sustainable bioeconomy by 2035.

 At the core of the new strategy and the organisational reform is to create even more sustainable conditions for growth in Finland, strengthen comprehensive security and ensure wellbeing of the Finns in a changing world.

In future, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will have three departments.

The Food and Research Department is responsible for ensuring food safety and security and access to production inputs, animal and plant health and animal welfare, which are all key components of comprehensive security. Research cuts across all activities of the Ministry and supports the achievement of the strategic objectives.

The Agriculture and Fisheries Industry Department has the main responsibility for the national preparation under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, exerting influence in the EU and implementing the policies. 

The Natural Resources Department makes sure that natural resources are used wisely. The Ministry is responsible for access to clean water and for economic activities that rely on natural resources. Climate change and biodiversity have an increasingly important role in guiding the Ministry’s work.

The Ministry will have five separate units directly under the Permanent Secretary.

Permanent Secretary Pekka Pesonen stresses the significance of the strategy in the process to prepare the new organisation.

“Ensuring a sustainable bioeconomy, security of supply and sustainable use of natural resources are the basic tasks of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The new organisation will offer even better support for the management of these tasks.”

Attachment: Organisation chart of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry from 1 January 2026 

Inquiries at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry:

Pekka Pesonen, Permanent Secretary, tel. +358 295 162 020, pekka.pesonen(at)gov.fi
Kirsi Heinonen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 162 059, kirsi.heinonen(at)gov.fi