MR-FJLS seeks to boost faith in and increase access to good food, promote healthy diets and develop the potential inherent in raw materials and food culture. An important element of its work is to strengthen and promote relevant research and development.

The Council of Ministers deliberately prioritises inter-sectoral activities, both internally – between the departments of the Committee of Senior Officials (EK-FJLS) – and in collaboration with the other sectors within the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Structure

The Council of Ministers' civil-service structure consists of a single committee of senior officials (EK-FJLS) with five integrated units that are independent but work together. These consist of an executive committee and four specialised departments: fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture, foodstuffs and forestry. The executive committee and the four departments all have the status of committees of senior officials.

The Council of Ministers funds a series of institutions,  organs of co-operation and working groups that contribute to achieving the sector's political objectives within their respective policy areas.

The fisheries sector

The fisheries sector highlights biological sustainability by, for example, making tangible the principle of an eco-system approach to fisheries, supporting technological development in the sector, and promoting fish as healthy food from a healthy marine environment.

The work on economic sustainability is designed, among other things, to highlight framework conditions that will enhance the ability of the fisheries industry to generate value.

The work on social sustainability is designed to promote the development of framework conditions that will ensure the welfare of fishing and coastal communities and develop their potential in the future.

The agriculture sector

The agriculture sector focuses on the conservation of genetic resources and work on the sustainable use of bioenergy. These elements are central to the work of ensuring flexible agriculture and coping with climate change.

Other priorities include work on rural and business development.

The work of promoting the quality and potential of Nordic food is one of the core activities. This work is carried out as part of, for example, the New Nordic Food programme, which has close ties to the fisheries and food sectors.

The food sector

The work of the food sector is based on the Nordic citizen as a consumer. Four areas are highlighted: protecting consumer health through adequate food safety; making greater efforts to gaurantee animal welfare; promoting proper labelling, marketing and traceability of foods; and encouraging healthy food and lifestyles.

The forestry sector

Core activities in the forestry sector consist of business development, forestry and bioenergy. Work is done to highlight the local and regional significance of the forest and to promote economic, ecological, social and cultural values.

Bioenergy and the climate are increasingly important in forestry co-operation. In general, sustainable forestry is promoted by research, development and training, especially through research co-operation in the Nordic Forest Research Co-operation Committee (SNS), as well as by network-building and the exchange of experiences and information.

Objectives and visions

The vision is of a competitive Nordic Region that uses biological natural resources in a sustainable manner, makes allowances for the human need for a decent quality of life, makes sure that food is safe, and contributes to positive global development.
In general, co-operation on fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture, forestry and food is designed to:

• develop competitive production
• improve preconditions in the Nordic countries for addressing climate change and its inherent challenges
• ensure genetic diversity for future generations
• support the sustainable development of Nordic coastal and rural villages and their culture
• refine the Nordic welfare model, with an emphasis on high standards of public health and animal welfare.

The vision and priorities for co-operation in the sector are outlined in the Framework Programme 2009–2012. The annual programme for the Presidency clarifies and supplements the framework programme. Together, these documents constitute the foundation for the co-operation. Together, these documents constitute the foundation for the co-operation.

Priorities

The following areas are prioritised in the Framework Programme 2009–2012.

Nordic competitiveness

Globalisation has an impact on the competitiveness of the primary industries in the Nordic Region, as well as on food production. A prominent international market position must be based on good raw materials, food safety and maintaining biological diversity. It must be characterised by openness and responsibility in the use of natural resources and production.

Co-operation is designed to contribute to the development of competitive production. It aims to exploit the competitive advantages of safe food, logistics and flexibility, as well as the taste and diversity of foodstuffs.

The climate

Climate change has consequences for the Nordic countries' fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture, food production and forestry, and impacts upon human health, our habitat and our ability to feed ourselves.

Biological resources are an important factor in minimising the effects of climate change, and there is a need for sustainable and energy-efficient production and processing methods. The development of bioenergy and renewable industrial raw materials is key.

The co-operation is designed to help improve the ability of the Nordic countries to address climate change and respond to its associated challenges and opportunities. Co-operation on climate change will be implemented within the framework of the Nordic Council of Ministers' programme on the consequences of climate change for natural resources in the Nordic Region 2009–2012.

Genetic resources

Genetic resources form the basis for animals and plants' adaptation to climate change, new growth conditions, new plant and animal diseases, increased production, and new environmental and consumer requirements. The focus in this area is on the preservation and sustainable use of genetic resources.

The co-operation is designed to secure future genetic diversity in food production and forestry, as well as the Region's common cultural heritage.

Nordic co-operation on cultivated plants, livestock and forestry is mainly implemented within the framework of the Nordic Genetic Resource Centre (NordGen). Co-operation on aquatic genetic resources takes place in other forums.

Coastal and rural development

Commercial life in rural villages will be strengthened through the development of new business ideas in companies working in the primary industries. The establishment and implementation of innovative entrepreneurship and new companies – within an expanded business framework that takes into account green considerations, multi-functionality and tourism – will create both opportunities and challenges for business development.

The co-operation is designed to support the economically, socially and ecologically sustainable development of Nordic coastal and rural villages and their cultural identities. In order to maintain and make use of these villages' values and resources, proper conditions must be in place that allow locals to contribute to village development.

Welfare, food and health

A joint Nordic view constitutes an important set of basic values for Nordic input in international forums, e.g. on healthy and ethical animal husbandry and healthy animals. As a producer of safe and healthy food, the Nordic Region can improve human health through, e.g. better risk-evaluation and -management, and effective supervision and control.

The co-operation is designed to refine the Nordic welfare model by emphasising high standards of public health and animal welfare. Other priority areas are research, consumer information, knowledge, labelling and contingency planning. Co-operation in this sector is also implemented within the framework of the Nordic Action Plan for better health and quality of life through food and exercise.

International co-operation

Many of the challenges facing fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture, food production and forestry are international, and are best solved with the help of broader international co-operation in Europe, with the neighbouring regions or at global level.

Nordic co-operation is designed to maximise the impact of our joint evaluations of, and interest in, international processes and forums at regional and global level. It aims to take the initiative in international processes that help strengthen the objectives contained in this framework programme.