Act on National Aid for Agriculture and Horticulture (28.12.2001/1559).

This Act provides for the granting of national aid for agriculture and horticulture within the limits of the funds allocated for this in the State budget. not apply to direct support funded entirely by the European Community granted for agriculture and horticulture, nor to aid granted under the Act on the Financing of Rural Industries (329/1999), the Act on the Financing of Reindeer Husbandry and Natural Economy Industries (45/2000), the Skolt Act (253/1995), the Act on Support for Rural Development (1443/2006) or the Act on Natural Handicap Payments, Agri-environment Payments and Certain Other Aid for Improvement of the Environment and Rural Areas (1440/2006). Agriculture in this Act means cultivation of agricultural, horticultural and energy plants on a farm, the production of livestock products, livestock farming, horse husbandry, reindeer husbandry, beekeeping, compulsory set aside as well as maintenance of uncultivated land in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003. The application of the aid schemes shall be subject to the consent of the European Community. The amounts of aid and preconditions for granting aid are amended on the basis of a decision taken by the European Community. Aid that may be given under this Act includes: a) national aid for Southern Finland for livestock farming, greenhouse production and storage of horticultural products; b) northern aid for plant production, livestock farming, greenhouse production, storage of horticultural products, storage of wild berries and mushrooms and reindeer husbandry, and as transport assistance for milk and meat; c) national additional payments to natural handicap and agri-environment payments.