The preparation of a Finnish National Strategy for Mires and Peatlands, coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, was initiated in the beginning of 2009. The strategy aims to build up a common understanding of the sustainable and diverse use of Finland’s peatlands and the value of natural mire ecosystems. Objectives and needs relating to the use of mires and peatlands will be decided, together with guidelines defining how conflicting needs may be reconciled over the coming decades. A broadly-based working group with representatives from various organisations and stakeholders has been appointed to oversee the preparation of the strategy.

Finland has a total of about 10 million hectares of peatlands, making up about a third of the country’s total land area. About half of this total area is currently used for forestry, about 70,000 hectares have been cleared to create farmland, and peat is harvested in areas totalling about 60,000 hectares. Peat is widely used as a fuel in Finland, accounting for 6-7% of total energy consumption.

About 13% (1.3 million hectares) of peatlands are protected, and commercial land uses are excluded in a further three million hectares.

Further information

Mr Veikko Marttila, Environmental Dierctor
Tel. +358 (0)295 16 2425
Email forename.surname(at)mmm.fi [veikko.marttila]

Updated 20.7.2010