Act on the Metsähallitus (Forestry Management Agency) (No. 234 of 2016).

The present Act lays down rules on the tasks and functions of the Metsähallitus, a state-owned enterprise within the administrative jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Metsähallitus engages in business activities by economically utilizing the state-owned land and water resources allocated to its possession, as well as by administering the shares in subsidiary and associated companies engaged in business activities related to the possession of land and water resources. Metsähallitus shall: 1. conduct forestry operations and supply timber to customers; 2. engage in business activities related to land-based products; 3. carry out sales and leasing of land and water areas; and 4. conduct project and development activities related to land and water areas. In exercising its functions, it shall sustainably utilize, manage, and protect the state-owned land and water resources under its possession. Metsähallitus may also produce seeds and seedlings, as well as economically utilize the land and water resources within its jurisdiction in other ways.
Metsähallitus shall also have public administrative functions according to Article 5 of this Act. These relate to: 1. Tasks prescribed in the Nature Conservation Act (9/2023) and in regulations concerning nature reserves established under it, and tasks related to the protection of natural habitats and species, and the acquisition of nature reserves; 2. Management and use of the network of nature reserves; 3. Provision of nature and outdoor recreation services associated with the use of nature for recreation, as well as preservation of cultural heritage; 4. Tasks prescribed in the Wilderness Act (62/1991), the Fishing Act (379/2015), the Education Act (253/1995), the Off-Road Traffic Act (1710/1995), the Hunting Act (615/1993), the Water and Marine Management Act (1299/2004), the Rescue Act (379/2011), the Reindeer Husbandry Act (848/1990), the Act on Structural Support for Reindeer Husbandry and Nature Industries (986/2011), and the Outdoor Recreation Act (606/1973); 5. Implementation of wildlife and fisheries management projects, as well as granting hunting and fishing permits; and 6. Hunting and fishing supervision according to the Act on the Forestry Board's Hunting and Fishing Supervision (1157/2005).