THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION-CONTROL IN FINLAND

The polluting effect of agriculture is defined nowadays as one of the most difficult environmental problems in Finland. This article deals w ith the development of agriculture-oriented environmental policy in Fi nland. In particular the definition of the water pollution problem and the official measures to combat it are examined. The state and the in terest organization of farmers are regarded as the main actors in poli cy making. After an analysis of the extent and modes of regulation of agricultural pollution control, it is concluded that the Finnish agric ultural policy community has succeeded in maintaining what is regarded as the most desirable model of agro-environmental policy. At the targ et level there have been demands for ecological modernization and even for decreases in agricultural production for environmental reasons, b ut on the other hand, the means of implementation of agro-environmenta l policy are based permanently on the voluntary response of farmers.