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Common interest in natural resources The administrative sector touches upon the everyday life of the Finns in various ways, in both work and leisure. The objective of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is to create and maintain the precondit...

Forest resources in Finland More than 75% of Finland’s land area is covered with forest. In relative terms, Finland is the most forested country in Europe. A total of 20.3 million hectares is suitable for wood production and 2.6 million hectares i...

Genetic resources Genetic resources that are vital for Finnish agriculture and forestry have adapted to the local natural and environmental conditions over thousands of years, which makes them unique. The conservation of genetic resources ensures ...

Forest resources information In international comparison, Finland’s forest resources are very well known. Already since the 1920s the National Forest Inventories have produced reliable data on the forest resources. The natural resources Institute ...

Conservation of forest genetic resources Sufficient genetic diversity ensures the success of our forest tree species in a highly variable environment. Safeguarding genetic diversity and resources is an important part of biodiversity conservation a...

Protection of forests in Finland In Finland, national parks and strict nature reserves constitute the basic framework of the nature conservation network. Other areas dedicated to biodiversity conservation include, inter alia, strictly protected zo...

Sectoral research institutes In its administrative branch, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry steers two research institutes: the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and the National Land Survey of Finland (NLS / Finnish Geospatial Re...

Sustainable forest management Sustainability means that future generations will have the same opportunities to meet their needs as the present ones, or even better. Securing sufficient forest resources and biodiversity as well as climate change mi...

Forestry in Finland Forests are a major source of both economic and social wellbeing for Finland. About one in seven Finns come from families who own forests. The material resources and amenity values of forests provide a wide range of opportuniti...

Forest bioeconomy Forest bioeconomy comprises various industrial and production sectors and operations that are based on wood or forests. Operations such as the processing of forest biomass in the forest, energy, chemical or food industries are al...

Forest bioeconomy Forest bioeconomy comprises various industrial and production sectors and operations that are based on wood or forests. Operations such as the processing of forest biomass in the forest, energy, chemical or food industries are al...

1.2.2024 | The Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) will replace the experimental cowshed in Minkiö, Jokioinen with a new one. The planning of the project and competitive tendering and planning the implementation of the construction work will be carried out during 2024. The construction of the new cowshed will take place in 2025 and the aim is to take it into use by the end of the year. 

Most of renewable energy in Finland is bioenergy Renewable energy sources mean wood-based fuels, other fuels of plant or animal origin, biogas, biodegradable fractions of fuels derived from recycling or wastes, hydropower, windpower, solar energy ...

16.5.2025 | The Nordic Conference on Climate Change Adaptation (NOCCA 2025) on 14–15 May 2025 brought together 160 experts to Rovaniemi to share the most recent scientific knowledge and examples related to the preparation for climate risks.

3.6.2026 | In their declaration, the European ministers responsible for forests committed to strengthening the role of sustainable forest management in safeguarding the future of Europe’s forests amid rapidly changing environmental, economic, social and geopolitical conditions. In addition, at their meeting in Stockholm on 2–3 June 2026, the ministers reaffirmed their support for the recovery and sustainable management of Ukraine’s forests and the rebuilding of its forest sector.

21.8.2024 | For Forest+ is a group dedicated to advocating for the interests of the forested Member States within the EU. Ministers from the group’s member states – Austria, France, Slovenia and Sweden – and their representatives visited Finland on the invitation of the Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah between 20 and 21 August 2024. During their visit, the ministers discussed next st...

13.11.2025 | The Conference on Energy Transition in Capture Fisheries discussed the opportunities offered by new energy sources and electricity and ways to reduce the use of energy. The conference gave wide support to the declaration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on boosting energy transition in the fisheries sector.

4.9.2025 | For Forest + is a group that promotes the interests of the forested Member States in the EU. Now Italy and Latvia are also members, besides Austria, Finland, France, Slovenia and Sweden. The For Forest Group + held the first meeting in its new composition in Slovenia on 28–30 August 2025.

25.11.2024 | Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah visits Canada with a delegation of the Finnish forestry and bioeconomy actors on 24–28 November. Minister Essayah will deliver the keynote speech at the Scaling Up Bioeconomy Conference 2024 in Ottawa. Finland is the Feature Country of this year’s conference. In addition, the Minister and the business delegation will visit the province of Quebec.

Forest industry In Finland the processing of raw materials from forests into sawn wood and paper products started at the end of the 19th century. Besides wood products and paper, today wood is also utilised for the manufacture of fabrics, medicine...

Forest Governance The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry directs and develops forest policy and legislation in Finland and participates in EU decision-making through the Government. Metsähallitus (State Forests), the Natural Resources Institute ...

Wood fuels for energy production Electricity and heat is generated from black liquor, bark, and sawdust Wood-based energy is derived from by-products of wood processing, such as bark, sawdust, and waste liquor from pulp production. Additionally, t...

Wildlife and game administration The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the supreme authority responsible for managing and supervising hunting and game management activities. The Ministry’s responsibilities include preparing hunting legislati...

Conservation of the genetic diversity of agricultural plants and animals The preservation, conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of agricultural plants and animals are regulated by Finland’s National Genetic Resources Programme...

Species Diversification in Silviculture to Support Climate Resilience Projects related to the National Forest Strategy of Finland -page Projects related to the Climate Plan for the Land Use Sector -page Precision forestry projects in the Recovery ...

Sustainable wood production on peatlands (SUO) Projects of the National Forest Strategy Projects of the Catch the Carbon -programme Participants Natural Resources Institute will lead the project and Finnish Forest Centre, Tapio Oy, University of E...

Blue bioeconomy The global need for clean water and its significance for the world keep growing. Population growth, climate change, growing need for food and energy, and urbanisation and changing lifestyles force us to seek new solutions. Finland’...

Climate impact assessment of the Forest Act (MILVA) Participants Natural Resources Institute Finland Duration 2022-2023 Description The project studies if the current forest legislation and forest management guidelines guide to climate-smart fores...

Sustainable use of soil Soil means the loose surface material that covers the consolidated bedrock, including all its components. In some areas there is a weathering zone on the rock’s surface, which means that the contact between the soil and the...

Multi-purpose expert in forestry - remotely (E-Precision) Projects related to the National Forest Strategy of Finland -page Projects related to the Climate Plan for the Land Use Sector -page Precision forestry projects in the Recovery and Resilien...

Key project of the Sipilä's Government 2015 - 2019 Making use of agricultural nutrients Recycle the nutrients – revitalise the water systems! Finland is committed to become a model country in nutrient recycling. The efficient recycling of agricult...

Forest health So far, the situation with respect to the health of forests has been very good in Finland. However, risks associated with forest health are expected to increase in future as climate change proceeds. Significant efforts to promote res...

Sustainable forest management economic package for peatlands (TUKEME) Projects of the National Forest Strategy Projects of the Catch the Carbon -programme Participants Natural Resources Institute Finland Description Kesto: 2020-2022 This research ...

Large carnivores The large carnivore policy led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is guided by three key factors: Habitats Directive management plans the use of scientifically reliable information as a basis for decisions and measures. T...

Forest management regimes of mixed forests (SEKAVA) Projects related to the National Forest Strategy of Finland -page Projects related to the Climate Plan for the Land Use Sector -page Participants Natural Resources Institute Finland Description D...

Side events of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry at the COP27 Climate Change Conference During the COP27 Climate Change Conference in Sharm EL-Sheikh, Egypt, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland will organise three side event...

Forest Reproductive Material and Forest Tree Breeding Suitable origin and good quality of forest reproductive material are essential in forest regeneration. Forest tree seedlings and seeds sold must be healthy and meet the quality criteria set for...

Enhancing forest growth using improved forest regeneration material (MEKANEN) Projects of the National Forest Strategy Projects of the Catch the Carbon -programme Participants Natural Resource Institute Finland Description Duration: 2020-2022 Clim...

Calculations concerning the growth and sustainability of Finnish forests In Finland, forest resource data is collected in national forest inventories conducted on a regular basis. These inventories date back to the 1920s. According to the forest g...

Growing models for continuous cover forestry (JatKa) Projects of the National Forest Strategy Projects of the Catch the Carbon -programme Participants Natural Resources Institute Finland Description Duration: 2020-2022 In continuous cover forestry...

Research and development At the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the core task of research and development activities is to proactively produce knowledge, expertise and innovations to support decision-making, promote the competitiveness of ec...

Teema Impacts of the SOTKA project to be studied The SOTKA project includes the follow-up of the impact and cost-effectiveness of the measures. Monitoring the impacts and cost-effectiveness is important in all sites included in the project. E.g. c...

Monitoring To monitor achievement of the goals of the Forest Strategy, a set of indicators has been prepared describing the general development of the forest-based sector, implementation of the strategy, and the effectiveness of measures taken. At...

Programme for nutrient recycling Promoting the recycling of nutrients is at the heart of the circular economy. The way nutrients needed for cultivation are now being used is unsustainable, both globally and in Finland. For example, only 20–25% of ...

Forests Forests are a renewable natural resource as well as a source of economic and social welfare. Forests have a central role in Finland’s nature and its diversity. Sustainable use and management of forests define the principles of forestry in ...

Statistics on the agriculture and food sectors The Natural Resources Institute Finland published a broad range of statistics on agriculture. Statistics on European agriculture are produced by the EU Commission and Eurostat . International agricult...

Forest Act The purpose of the Forest Act is to promote the economically, ecologically and socially sustainable management and use of forests. The Forest Act sets the minimum requirements for the management and use of forests. Based on this, the fo...

Towards more climate-sustainable and diverse logging through sensor technology and accurate geographical information (IlmoStar) Projects related to the National Forest Strategy of Finland -page Projects related to the Climate Plan for the Land Use...

National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2030 The Government approved the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2030 in December 2022. The implementation started in spring 2023. Government report on the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 203...

Animals and plants Finland prioritises the health and welfare of agricultural livestock as an important way to ensure food safety and quality along the food chain. Animal welfare » Animal welfare Transmissible animal diseases » Transmissible anima...

Land use sector as part of the EU’s climate objectives In the EU, the emissions and removals of the land use sector are considered on the basis of the LULUCF Regulations. The Regulations determine how the emissions and removals of land use, land u...

Restoration of low-productive drained peatlands - with well targeted site selection and good practises towards safeguarding of soil carbon storage and improved functional biodiversity Projects related to the National Forest Strategy of Finland -pa...

Package of measures to strengthen forest growth and carbon sinks The package to strengthen forest growth and carbon sinks is composed of measures that promote climate-resilient forest management practices, support good productivity of managed fore...

Hunting restrictions Hunting can be regulated on various grounds laid down in the Hunting Act and the Hunting Decree. Finnish hunting legislation and hunting activities are based on the principle of sustainable use. Hunting is regulated taking int...

Sustainable growth and carbon sequestration through targeted forest fertilization Projects related to the National Forest Strategy of Finland -page Projects related to the Climate Plan for the Land Use Sector -page Precision forestry projects in t...

12.3.2025 | The last projects of the Catch the Carbon package of climate measures ended at the end of 2024. The implementation of the knowledge and climate change resilient solutions produced in the package of 180 measures will continue and be further intensified through cooperation in different parts of the country. The processes to support this include the activities of the National Climate Unit of the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres).

Water bodies Water bodies are essential elements of Finland’s rural areas. They offer us nutrition and energy and serve as transport routes. Waters are also valuable for recreation, landscapes and biodiversity. The ecological status of most of Fin...

Agricultural support ensures domestic food production and its development Conditions for farming in Finland differ considerably from those in many other EU countries. Due to the special characteristics of Finnish agriculture, like our northern loc...

8.11.2022 | The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is hosting three side events at the COP27 Climate Change Conference in Egypt on 10 and 12 November in cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers. The events will present the Catch the Carbon package of climate measures and discuss research on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands. The discussions will be streamed live as a webcast.

31.7.2026 | 1 Management plan VI to prevent invasive alien species of national concern Supplementing management plans approved on 13 March 2018, 23 May 2019, 27 October 2020, 2 June 2021 and 25 April 2024 Adopted by decision of the Ministry of Agriculture and...