At its session on 16 December, the Government approved the proposal for Finland’s CAP Strategic Plan, prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The CAP Strategic Plan under the common agricultural policy of the EU specifies the agricultural support and rural development measures to be implemented in Finland in 2023–2027 and the conditions applicable to the measures included these support schemes. The main tasks of Finland’s CAP Strategic Plan are to ensure active food production, promote climate and environment smart agriculture, and strengthen the viability of a countryside that is capable of renewing itself.

Under the migratory fish programme NOUSU led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the State of Finland contributes to the restoration of the Virtaankoski Rapid in the River Tainionvirta that discharges into Päijänne, the second largest lake in Finland. The regulating dam of the small-scale hydropower plant will be demolished to free the river. The company that owns the power plant will be transferred to Hiitolanjoki Voima Oy at the beginning of 2022. Hiitolanjoki Voima Oy is owned by the South Karelian Foundation for Recreation Areas, which is currently restoring the River Hiitolanjoki in Rautjärvi. After decades, this will again enable the run of Lake Ladoga salmon to their spawning areas.

At the Climate Change Conference today, Finland signed the Glasgow Declaration for Fair Water Footprints. This is the first international commitment concerning responsible use of water. Water is in a key position in climate change adaptation, as well as in the mitigation efforts Finland was asked to sign the declaration as one of the leading countries in water responsibility.