ABSTRACT
The rural population in Finland was by and large against the idea of becoming a member of the union, and the farmers in the north of Finland in particular were doubtful whether it would be sensible to join. Northern Finland is a sparsely populated area where rural settlement is particularly scattered. The membership in the union has clearly increased the area under cultivation in Finland. The membership in the European Union has brought about many kinds of changes in the life of Finnish farmers. Finnish farmers are also irritated by the many detailed regulations and schedules. The commission favours giving a more prominent role to agri-environmental measures, especially those which call for an extra effort by farmers such as organic farming, maintenance of semi-natural habitats. In Lapland as well as in northern Kainuu many farmers practice reindeer herding in addition to agriculture, although the majority of those practicing reindeer husbandry do it as their sole source of livelihood.
