NordenBladet — The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has opened an extensive call for applications for research and development funding aimed to produce information on how the climate-sustainability of agriculture, forestry and other land uses can be strengthened. The total amount of funds available is about EUR 9 million. The three-year research and innovation programme Hiilestä kiinni – Catch the carbon is one of the key elements of the package of climate measures under the Government Programme.

Extensive cooperation between the scientific community, business operators and other stakeholders in our society is needed to achieve the climate objectives of the land use sector. The webinar on 9 November where the programme was published and the networking event held in the same contexts attracted more than 200 researchers and other stakeholder representatives interested in the topic.The application for funding related to the programme will be open until 21 December 2020. The aim is also to open a supplementary call for applications already in 2021.

The project applications will be evaluated in January 2021 by an evaluation panel invited for this purpose. The earliest date when the research and innovation projects can be started is 1 March 2021 and the Ministry’s funding for the projects included in this process will end no later than 31 December 2023.Programme prepared together with scientific community and stakeholdersBesides reductions in fossil emissions, achieving the target of a carbon-neutral Finland by 2035 requires cuts in the emissions from agriculture, forestry and other land uses and maintenance and strengthening of carbon sinks and reservoirs. The net impact set as the target to 2035 for the additional measures included in the package of climate measures in the land use sector is at least 3 Mt CO2 equivalent.- “Land use is the sector where solutions to the fight against climate change and to mitigating its impacts can be found. Reaching the target requires broad-based cooperation between scientists and practical operators. Based on the findings of scientific research we can introduce functioning and effective measures to strengthen carbon sequestration, reduce emissions and replace fossil fuels,” says Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Jari Leppä.

The aim of the Hiilestä kiinni – Catch the carbon research and innovation programme is to produce information that anticipates changes in the operating environment on how agriculture, forestry and other land use can be targeted in a more climate-smart manner, both in the short and long term. The aim is also to strengthen the sustainable use of renewable natural resources and comprehensive sustainability.  The programme was prepared in cooperation with the scientific community and stakeholders.- “We should have the means to anticipate changes even better than before to be able to target land use solutions in the right way. The assessment of comprehensive sustainability and various kinds of impacts requires research and results that can be applied to different land use operations from the national to the local level,” says Jaana Husu-Kallio, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.New information on impact chainsFulfilling the objectives of the Hiilestä kiinni – Catch the carbon programme requires an interdisciplinary approach and cooperation between differently stakeholders, which is why applications from consortiums composed of two or several organisations will be much appreciated. In projects carried out by consortiums funding is granted to the main applicant that will then manage the contacts and financial transactions with the other organisations and the Ministry. The consortiums may also include private companies. In their applications the research consortiums should state clearly the causal chains in their project proposals that promote the achievement of the climate neutrality target to 2035.The new programme will significantly strengthen the research related to agriculture, forestry and other land use and provide excellent opportunities to researchers from different fields of science to deepen and diversify the knowledge and competence. The programme will also link earlier research results and current and future international and national research on these topics more strongly to support decision-making.- “Besides natural sciences, research is needed on people’s behaviour and attitudes to achieve true changes in the way we act. Agriculture and forestry will not become climate-smart without climate-smart farmers and forest owners,” says Johanna Kohl, Research Programme Manager at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry who was responsible for preparing the programme.

According to Kohl, it is also important to promote innovation as part of research projects. Innovations may concern e.g. processes, technical solutions or new services. Under the projects, funding may also be granted to open and user-driven Living Lab activities carried out in practical operating environments.Hiilestä kiinni – Catch the carbon research and innovation programme 2021-2024, call for applications (in Finnish)New research and innovation programme creates solutions to climate-wise land use (press release of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 6 October 2020)Read more about climate measures in the land use sectorRead the blog post by Research Programme Manager Johanna Kohl and Senior Specialist Anna Salminen: Tutkimus tuuppaa kohti ilmastokestävää maa- ja metsätaloutta (Research takes us towards climate-sustainable agriculture and forestry) (11 September 2020, in Finnish)

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen has authorised the Defence Forces Logistics Command to conclude an agreement to procure tactical weapons-mounted lights, helmet lights and visual identification beacons from two Finnish importers.

The procurement follows extensive field tests carried out in Finland to assess the suitability and compatibility of 25 different products included in commercial competitive tendering.The weapons-mounted lights and helmet lights will be supplied by Hantaurus SHOT Oy and the visual identification beacons by Finnprotec Oy.The procurement, which is included in the national defence development programme, is part of a series of procurements aiming to develop the infantry’s night combat capabilities. The procurement will improve the ability of the infantry forces to operate in dark conditions with poor visibility.

The first products will be delivered by the end of 2021 and will be taken into use starting in 2022.The total value of the procurement, including VAT, is more than EUR 1 million. The Defence Forces have an additional provision for tactical lights, the total value of which is approximately EUR 6 million including VAT.More information about the procurement:A weapon-mounted light is a light that is affixed to a weapon for the purpose of identifying a target and facilitating firing and movement.

A helmet light is a light affixed to a helmet or mounting device that a combatant uses as a work light in operations requiring additional lighting, for example when reading maps or providing first aid and, if necessary, as a signalling tool.A visual identification beacon enables the visual identification of a combatant, one’s own troops or a dangerous area under variable lighting conditions and improves safety, especially in night combat training.For more information, please contact Jouko Tuloisela, Senior Government Adviser, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 295 140 412; and Inspector of Infantry Colonel Rainer Peltoniemi, Army Command Finland, tel. +358 299 800 (Defence Forces’ switchboard).

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — As final preparations are made for the 2020 Afghanistan Conference on 23-24 November, Special Envoy Janne Taalas visited Doha to provide briefings on the upcoming pledging event.The 2020 Afghanistan Conference will set out the shared development objectives and commitments of the Government of Afghanistan and international community for 2021–2024.In addition to the pledges of financial support, a joint political declaration and a new aid architecture supporting Afghanistan’s development needs and priorities are the main expected outcomes of the conference.Finland, together with the Government of Afghanistan and the United Nations, are the co-hosts of the conference.During his trip to Doha on Saturday, 7 November 2020, Special Envoy Taalas, who leads Finland’s work with conference preparations, also met with representatives of the teams engaged in the Afghanistan Peace Negotiations.As requested by the international donor community, Special Envoy Taalas presented to the representatives with messages on key principles outlining the modalities of future international support to the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and development agenda in Afghanistan.International development partners highlight the importance of an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process that preserves and builds on the political, economic and social achievements of the Afghan people since 2001. They stress the importance of protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially the rights of women, children and minority groups and further promoting these throughout the negotiations as well as in the subsequent agreement and its implementation.International donors also call for a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. Such a development would improve aid delivery and offer much needed respite to the Afghan people.Special Envoy Taalas provided updates on the practical arrangements concerning the conference. Due to the serious Covid-19 situation in Switzerland, the Conference will take place virtually, with the Palais des Nations in Geneva remaining as the hub for all logistics.  All of the 2020 Afghanistan Conference proceedings will be webcast live on webtv.un.org.For more information about the 2020 Afghanistan Conference: https://um.fi/afghanistan-conference-2020 Contacts:Laila Clyne, Deputy to Special Envoy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, tel. +385 50 346 1719, Johanna Kaprio, Communications Coordinator, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, tel. +358 50 522 8916The Foreign Ministry’s email addresses are in the format [email protected]

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Ministry of the Interior sent the draft government proposal on amending the Money Collection Act out for comments on 6 November 2020. By this amendment, voluntary carbon offsetting services would be excluded from the scope of application of the Money Collection Act. In future, no money collection licence would be required for operations concerning voluntary carbon offsetting.Voluntary carbon offsetting provides a mechanism for offsetting greenhouse gas emissions from e.g. travel or products by means of a payment. Such operations have increased considerably in Finland in recent years. This has led to questions concerning the relationship of these operations to the Money Collection Act, which mainly regulates money collection for non-profit activities.The Ministry of the Interior launched a background study in April 2020 to consult the different stakeholders and explore the legislative amendments that may be needed and their impacts. The views of the stakeholders were collected in workshops and through interviews. Based on the background study, the proposal is that voluntary carbon offsetting would be excluded from the scope of the act.“The climate crisis will not wait, and we must take all actions we can to combat climate change. Among these is voluntary carbon offsetting that companies have offered to their customers. The status of carbon offsetting with respect to the Money Collection Act has been ambiguous and it has been difficult for companies to know how to proceed. I am very happy for the work done to clarify the situation and the conclusion to amend the act, which will make it easier for individuals and companies to offset climate emissions,” Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo says.Ministry of the Environment to examine the regulation of voluntary carbon offsettingThe background study of the Ministry of the Interior identified the need to examine and clarify the regulation concerning voluntary carbon offsetting to make sure that the operations are reliable.The Ministry of the Environment has launched studies on the current state of the regulation of voluntary carbon offsetting and the related future needs. The Ministry is funding a project at the Finnish Environment Institute that aims to create a comprehensive understanding of where we stand in the use of carbon offsets and the acceptability of the emission reduction units that have been offered. The purpose of this project, and of another project also funded by the Ministry of the Environment, is to examine in more detail what kind of regulation would be needed concerning the voluntary carbon offsetting services The key issues are related to ensuring the desired climate impacts, including the additionality, verifiability and permanence of the offsetting projects.“Voluntary carbon offsets are purchased to boost climate actions, which is why we must make sure that all the services and projects sold as offsets are such that they produce genuine climate benefits. This is important in terms of both the climate work and consumer protection. At the moment there are various kinds of international and domestic offsetting services in the market. Those who are offering offsets to be purchased are also hoping for clearer rules,” Minster of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen says.Government programme aims at a carbon neutral FinlandThe legislative amendment is related to the objective of the Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government to achieve carbon neutrality in Finland by 2035. The aim is to encourage companies to develop new voluntary carbon offsetting services and ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, avoid these, or remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.The deadline for comments is 18 December 2020.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — On 5 November, the Government adopted a decision on restrictions on entry into the country, which will enter into force on Monday 9 November. Restrictions will be lifted for residents of Singapore who are travelling from their home country to Finland. Restrictions on entry will also be lifted for residents of the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions who are travelling from these regions to Finland, provided that reciprocity is confirmed by the Council of the European Union.All existing restrictions on entry will continue until 22 November. The aim is that the new health security measures will be in place by then.The decision applies the limit value of a maximum of 25 new cases of the disease per 100,000 persons in the previous 14 days. Differences in the epidemiological situation in Finland and other European countries, as well as the new acceleration in the spread of infections, require internal border controls to remain in place until the new health security measures are made available to the extent necessary.No changes to restrictions on internal border trafficInternal border traffic refers to traffic between Finland and other Schengen countries. Internal border control has been reinstated for traffic between Finland and all Schengen countries.Restrictions on internal border traffic are in force for traffic between Finland and Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, apart from certain exceptions. Day-to-day travel will still be permitted for local border communities at Finland’s land border with Sweden and Norway. People will be able to come to work in Finland from Sweden and Estonia without a 10-day self-isolation period. Leisure boating from the EU and Schengen countries to Finland will not be restricted either. At the internal borders, restrictions on entry allow only return traffic to Finland, transit traffic, work-related travel and travel for other essential reasons, apart from the above-mentioned exceptions. A 10-day period of self-isolation is recommended for travellers arriving in Finland. Travellers can shorten their self-isolation period at their discretion if they take two voluntary COVID-19 tests.Changes to restrictions on external border trafficExternal border traffic refers to traffic between Finland and non-Schengen countries. Starting from 9 November, external border traffic will be permitted only for traffic arriving in Finland from the Vatican, and for traffic between Finland and Australia, Japan, Rwanda, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand and Uruguay for residents of these countries.Restrictions on entry will also be lifted for residents of the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions who are travelling from these regions to Finland, provided that reciprocity is confirmed by the Council of the European Union. In addition, people may come to Finland from the following European countries for work or another essential reason: Andorra, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Monaco, Romania, San Marino and the United Kingdom. A 10-day period of self-isolation is recommended for travellers arriving in Finland. Travellers can shorten their self-isolation period at their discretion if they take two voluntary COVID-19 tests.For all other non-Schengen countries, restrictions on entry allow only return traffic to Finland and other EU and Schengen countries, transit traffic at Helsinki Airport and other essential traffic. In addition, a 10-day period of self-isolation is recommended for travellers arriving in Finland. Travellers can shorten their self-isolation period at their discretion if they take two voluntary COVID-19 tests. Health security measures in force A 10-day period of self-isolation is recommended for travellers arriving in Finland from a higher incidence country. Travellers can shorten their self-isolation period at their discretion if they take two voluntary COVID-19 tests and the results are negative. If a traveller is staying in Finland for less than 72 hours, they do not need to self-isolate or take a second test.Rights of Finnish citizens and residents of FinlandUnder section 9 of the Constitution of Finland, Finnish citizens and residents of Finland always have the right to return to Finland, and everyone has the right to leave Finland if they so wish, provided that there is no legal impediment to this. However, the Government still recommends avoiding unnecessary travel to other countries, except for countries for which the restrictions on entry have been lifted.Travellers must be aware of the current entry and quarantine regulations of their country of destination and they must take into account the quarantine and testing recommendations for those returning to Finland. Read more: 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Government submitted a proposal to amend the Competition Act on 5 November 2020. The amendments are mainly based on a Directive that will enhance and harmonise the enforcement of the EU’s competition rules within the territory of the Union. The implementation of the Directive will extend the powers of the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority.The amendments to be made based on the Directive will strengthen the powers of investigation, decision-making and sanctions for restricting competition. This is a significant change to EU and national competition law.The key amendments to the Competition Act based on the EU Directive include:The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority could propose and a court could impose a penalty payment on an undertaking not only for restriction of competition but also for breaches of procedural rules and non-compliance with certain decisions.In order to end restriction of competition, structural remedies could also be imposed under strict conditions in the future. Structural remedies could include, for example, the divestment of a business unit or a stake in the competitor’s share capital.When assessing the amount of penalty payments imposed on associations of undertakings, the turnover of the members of the association would also be taken into account under certain conditions. In addition, members of an association of undertakings could be liable to pay the penalty imposed on the association if the association was unable to pay it and if certain other conditions were met.Cooperation between the EU’s national competition authorities will improve.  In addition, the Competition Act will be amended on the basis of national needs. The amendment would help undertakings to assess in advance the amount of penalty payment that they or an association of undertakings could be subject to for restricting competition.  The legal protection of undertakings has been acknowledged by, among other things, increasing the consultation of interested parties before decision-making. The Act also provides for the right of appeal and the enforcement of penalty payments only after the final decision.The Government proposes that the amended Act will enter into force on 4 February 2021, as the Directive requires.
Effective enforcement of competition will benefit companies and consumers
The purpose of the Directive is to improve the enforcement powers of the competition authorities in the Member States and to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market. The implementation of the Directive will make the enforcement of competition rules more efficient and increase their preventive effect.The aim of the competition rules is to ensure effective competition between companies. Effective competition also benefits consumers and customer companies by offering alternatives, keeping price levels under control and encouraging the creation of innovative and high-quality products and services.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Government has made a clarification to the Decree on temporarily restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses that it issued on 29 October. Under the Decree, food and beverage service businesses may begin serving alcohol at 7.00 at the earliest. This applies to all regions regardless of their epidemiological situation.Reason for the amendment: uncertainty related to the increased flexibility in the restrictions on opening hours In practice, the clarification was made by amending section 5 of the Decree, which concerns the restriction on opening hours and hours when alcohol can be served. The clarification is necessary because there has been some ambiguity as to when businesses may begin serving alcoholic beverages. The Decree issued on 29 October added flexibility to the restrictions on the opening hours of food and beverage service businesses so that businesses subject to the restrictions may generally reopen one hour after closing. This means that a business that has stopped serving alcoholic beverages at 24.00 and must close at 1.00 may reopen as a night cafe starting at 2.00, for example. Some ambiguity has arisen as to whether a business may resume serving alcoholic beverages after it has been closed for one hour.This is not the intended interpretation of the provisions and, in accordance with the clarification made, businesses may begin serving alcohol at 7.00 at the earliest. In addition, food and beverage service businesses must always comply with the Alcohol Act and any conditions attached to their serving licence when serving alcoholic beverages. The Government decided on 29 October to impose temporary restrictions on the activities of food and beverage service businesses as of 1 November 2020. The Decree was adopted under the new temporary provisions of the Communicable Diseases Act and will remain in force until 15 December 2020. The amended Decree enters into force on 6 November 2020.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — On 5 November, the Government submitted to Parliament a draft government proposal to amend the Identity Card Act. The Identity Card Act will be updated as a result of the EU Regulation on identity cards. A provision on fingerprinting supplementing the Regulation would be added to the Identity Card Act.Fingerprints would not be taken from a person under 12 years of age or from a person in respect of whom fingerprinting is physically impossible, for example. The EU Regulation will also reform the information content and appearance of identity cards. The aim of the Regulation is to improve the reliability and security of identity cards of EU citizens.Fingerprints taken for a passport could be used to apply for an identity cardWhen used as a biometric identifier, the fingerprint is a permanent, immutable and irrevocable part of an individual. Biometric identifiers set specific requirements for data security in order to ensure the protection of privacy. For this reason, provisions on data security related to the chip of an identity card would be laid down in the Identity Card Act. Fingerprints and facial images are particularly sensitive data and they could be read by police departments and Finnish missions that issue identity cards. In addition, the police, the Border Guard and Customs would have the right to read them when they carry out border checks. In Finland, fingerprints are already taken from passport applicants and stored in the passport register. Similarly, the Identity Card Act would include a provision on the storage of fingerprints in the identity card register.  In order to facilitate the use of services, fingerprints taken for the passport could be used to apply for an identity card and vice versa.The storage of fingerprints in the identity card register would not only protect the rights of the holder but also the rights of other persons to their personal data and their appropriate use: the storage of fingerprints in the register and the comparison of fingerprint data with the register aim to help prevent the misuse of identities.The Act is scheduled to enter into force on 2 August 2021, at the same time as the application of the EU Regulation begins.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi