Government Decree on environmental compensation (No. 78 of 2023).

The present Government Decree contains provisions on environmental compensation in accordance with Article 70 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Environmental compensation is part of Finland's strategic plan for the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027 approved by the European Commission. Environmental compensation can be granted and paid for the duration of the strategic plan within the framework of the funds allocated in the state budget. An environmental commitment begins on May 1st of the year in which the commitment is made. The commitment year and period start on May 1st and end on April 30th.
An active farmer who has entered into an environmental commitment must adhere to the general requirements for the farm-specific measure on all eligible arable plots of the farm unit and on such eligible plots consisting of permanent grassland classified as arable land in terms of land use. The general requirements for a farm-specific measure under an environmental commitment include: 1. Soil mapping; 2. Plot-specific records; and 3. An environmental and climate plan. An active farmer who has entered into an environmental commitment can choose from the following selectable measures: 1. Climate and environmental education; 2. Perennial biodiversity strips; 3. Soil monitoring; 4. Organic nutrients; 5. Nutrient plants for pollinators; 6. Precision farming methods; and 7. Applications for monitoring and identifying plant pests and diseases.
The Decree consists of 66 Sections organized in the following chapters: 1. General provisions; 2. General conditions for environmental commitments; 3. Specific conditions for environmental commitments; 4. General conditions for environmental agreements; 5. Specific conditions for environmental agreements; 6. Payment of environmental compensation; 7. Amount of compensation; 8. Special provisions; 9. Entry into force and transitional provisions.