Use of forests is subject to restrictions

Finnish forestry is steered and restricted by many different Acts and regulations. The most important cause of restrictions is that forests are the country's main natural resource from the point of view of both economy and biodiversity. Society has deemed it necessary to safeguard the future of the forests.

The steering of forestry is based on the principle of co-determination. While society restricts the forest owner's rights of using his property, he is also supported and encouraged to look after the natural resources in his forest.

One of the most important reasons for steering forestry is that forest generations are so much longer than human generations. The rotation period of forests is so long that the profit from forest investments may well be reaped by future generations. Thus, for reasons of national economy, society considers that forest owners should be encouraged to undertake investments which benefit more than one generation.

13. The share of Finland and the European Union of the world's…

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