Funding of Metsähallitus’ operations

Metsähallitus is a state-owned enterprise providing both business and public administration services. The public administration services include the management of nature conservation areas and maintenance of hiking structures. The services and their funding are managed separately from the business operations. The income from business operations cannot be used to finance public administration services.

The public administration services are managed by National Parks Finland and Wildlife Service Finland. Tasks of the National Parks Finland include the management of nature conservation areas and the provision of free facilities for hikers. Its funding comes from the state budget. The Finnish Parliament decides on the funding each year as it approves the state budget proposal.

The tasks of the Wildlife Service Finland include the management of hunting and fishing, which is funded with permit income. The permit income is used to restore game and fish habitats and to manage fish stocks. Wildlife Service Finland is also responsible for wilderness supervision in state-owned lands. Its funding comes from the state budget.

Metsähallitus’ business operations comprise timber sales, leasing, sales and development of state-owned land and water areas, and production of forest tree seeds. Most of the turnover is generated by timber sales and property business, which comprises sales and lease of plots and wind power project development. As a a state-owned enterprise, Metsähallitus transfers most of the profits generated by its business operations as revenue to the State. In recent years, this sum has totalled about EUR 120 million. The Government decides on the sum transferred each year when approving Metsähallitus’ financial statements.