The Finnish National Forest Programme 2015

September 23, 2010 by timbercommunity

The Finnish National Forest Programme highlights the forest sector as an engine for the bioeconomy. The updated National Forest Programme, which span up to 2015, highlights the forest sector to the driver of the emerging bio-economy in Finland.

The updating of the National Forest Programme (KMO) has been completed and Forestry Sirkka-Liisa Anttila approved the proposal for a new national forest program at its meeting on 14th of September 2010.

The forest policy in Finland aims to strengthen the business activities based on forests and increase the value of production in the forestry sector. New client-oriented and high value-added products and services improve business competitiveness and profitability and create conditions for investment in Finland according to the policy.

In the future, used wood and its components more versatile eg for the production of bio-energy, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The ecological efficiency is emphasized as a competitive factor. Wood Construction and use of wood products are heavily promoted. Business activities based on forests is more diverse including by promoting opportunities for the use of wood for energy, use of natural products and entrepreneurship in the forestry services.

By ensuring a viable forestry and environmental benefits the Finish want to create conditions for the development of livelihoods and welfare based on forests. The use of domestic wood can be substantially increased from current levels. Forest treatment methods will be diversified, so that they correspond to forest owners and forest such use needs. Making treatment methods varied will be among the most important project entities during the project period.

Strengthening forest biodiversity will be another priority area in the next programming period. They want to care of the waterways and the soil condition and increase the forest wealth effects.

In accordance with KMO 2015 the forest industry will form a network of institutions which have close links with industry. The aim is to establish design training programs and control the number of admitted students. Sectoral research emphasizes the development of industry and the ability to build networks across sectoral boundaries. The concentration of excellence in the forestry industry will have a central role in the structures that promote bio-economy.

Additional information provided by Agriculture and Forestry:
Secretary Minna-Mari Kaila, tel (09) 16053302, 040 5573681
Department Juha Ojala, tel (09) 160 5335 0 050 413 5515;
KMO's Secretary Marja Kokkonen, tel (09) 160 5292 3 040 524 6267