Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Finland) (MAF)

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry steers the policy on sustainable use of natural resources. Legislative work is carried out as part of the Finnish Government and the EU institutions and decision-making.

Renewable natural resources derive from the renewal capacity of the nature itself. Among other things, they comprise all plants and animals. According to the principle of sustainable development, renewable natural resources must be used so that their value is preserved for the future: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Task and objectives

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry secure domestic food production and sustainable use of renewable natural resources and create the preconditions for economic activities and well-being derived from these.

We secure

• primary production and processing of food in Finland
• food safety and a high standard of consumer protection and animal health and welfare
• sustainable utilisation of arable lands, forests and waters and fish and game populations in a way that also the future generations can use and enjoy them

We create the preconditions for

• bioeconomy based on the sustainable use of renewable natural resources
• agricultural activities
• recreational use of nature
• business and enterprise
• well-being in the countryside

We enhance well-being by promoting

• innovation
• know-how
• culture and experiences constructed upon renewable natural resources and pure and diverse nature
• risk management

Our aim is that

• Finland utilises renewable natural resources in a responsible and sustainable way and as an international pacemaker
• Finnish food chain is competitive, responds to the consumer needs and operates in a responsible way both nationally and globally
• food safety is of top international standard