Nordic agriculture is very diverse in terms of its climatic and geographical conditions, but the Region as a whole faces a number of common challenges.

Globalisation and fiercer competition mean that the industry must constantly renew itself and develop innovative ways of thinking. Environmental problems and climate change also increase the need for sustainable development in agriculture.

Why co-operate on agriculture?

Nordic co-operation in this area is designed to make sustainable development in agriculture more tangible.

Co-operation focuses on various factors that help to promote the development of agricultural production in an era of globalisation, environmental change and global warming:

• The environment and sustainable production conditions
• The consequences of climate change for agricultural production
• The sustainable use of genetic resources
• Sustainable bioenergy
• Rural development
• Agricultural research
• New Nordic Food

Tangible initiatives

Food production has undergone a great deal of change in recent years.

Among other things, there has been a closer focus on increasing the diversity of agriculture and food production. This has happened in response to changing consumer preferences, international competition, manufacturers’ desire to develop production, biodiversity issues and several other factors.

Nordic co-operation attempts to contribute to these developments in a variety of ways.

• Nordic Genetic Resource Centre (NordGen)

NordGen enables co-ooperation on genetic resources. In 2007, the Council of Ministers for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Agriculture, Food and Forestry (MR-FJLS) decided to set up a strong joint institution to work more closely together on the preservation and sustainable use of genetic plant, animal and forest resources.

The result of a merger between three existing institutions, NordGen

fulfils a variety of functions and provides opportunities, for example, for climate interventions and projects designed to promote diversity in agriculture and food production.

• New Nordic Food

New Nordic Food contributes to greater divresity in production and for consumers.

The New Nordic Food programme is a major sourceof innovation in the agricultural industry, and helps to make it more competitive.