The Energy Programme for Finnish Farms was launched in Finland by an agreement signed on Friday 21 January. By this agreement the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners MTK, Central Union of Swedish-speaking Agricultural Producers SLC, Finnish Glasshouse Growers' Association and Central Organisation for Finnish Horticulture ratify the content of the programme and give their commitment to promoting energy efficiency and bioenergy issues in the Finnish agriculture and horticulture sectors.

All Finnish farms practising either agriculture or horticulture have the opportunity to join in the programme. Through the programme the farms have access to various kinds of services that help to reduce energy costs, increase the use and production of bioenergy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The most concrete and visible element in the programme is the energy planning service, where an expert in farm energy issues, together with the farmer, examines the possibilities for achieving energy savings and increasing the use of bioenergy. Planning may cover e.g. investments, working methods or production. After visiting the farm the expert draws up proposals for practical measures. Support from the state is available to cover 85% of the eligible costs due to the energy plans for farms.

For farms with the lowest energy consumption the programme provides tools for self-followup of the use of energy and planning actions to achieve savings. An agricultural energy inventory model, which is more comprehensive than the energy plan, is being prepared for the larger farms. Various kinds of information services and followup tools for energy use and bioenergy production are also being designed for farms which have joined the programme.

Farmers who join in commit to incorporating the followup of energy consumption and improving the efficiency of energy use into their ongoing, regular operations. The results are followed by means of inquiries.

In the EU context Finland is committed to the objectives to increase energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources included in several EU policies. The outlines for their implementation are set down e.g. in the National Energy and Climate Strategy, where promoting energy efficiency has a central role. The objectives for higher efficiency in agriculture are similar to those in the other sectors which are excluded from the emissions trading system.

Further information at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry:
Veli-Pekka Reskola, Senior Officer, tel. 358 (0)9 160 53396, (0)40 546 9065
www.mmm.fi/maatilojenenergiaohjelma