Multimillionaires among biggest beneficiaries of agricultural subsidies

Prisons and other public institutions also get agricultural support

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The biggest beneficiaries of agricultural subsidies last year were the Huiskula Nursery, the Jokioinen Manor of Agrifood Research Finland (MTT), and Bullstop Oy in Kalajoki, each of which got more than EUR 1.2 million in subsidies in 2007, according to the Rural Business Register, which published its findings at the beginning of May.
     
The greatest beneficiaries of agricultural subsidies include a few entrepreneurs organised as limited liability companies, or as family enterprises. Most of the major beneficiaries are nevertheless private individuals. In addition to producers of meat and grain, many of the top recipients focus on garden produce.
     The top ten private individuals benefitting most from the subsidies include Pekka Tapani Vehviläinen from Siilinjärvi, Mikko Kustaa Elovaara from Kiuruvesi, and Juha-Pekka Toukola from Kangasala. Toukola got EUR 564,000, which is slightly more than Ikaalisten Luomu, an organic farming company, which received the tenth-highest amount of agricultural support.
     
The top 500 recipients of subsidies got EUR 191,000 or more. The same amount was given to Anders Knuts of the municipality of Pedersöre.
     According to the data, Finnish agricultural producers were paid a total of EUR 2.1 billion in various subsidies in 2007. The sum includes all supports that were paid last year to agriculture and gardening during the year.
     
Included among the top 500 recipients are a number of well-known corporate executives. Antti Herlin, Chairman of the Board of elevator manufacturer Kone, was paid EUR 243,000 for his agricultural holdings in Kirkkonummi, putting him in 248th place among recipients. Sampo Group CEO Björn Wahlroos placed 309th on the list, receiving EUR 225,000 in public support.
     Both Herlin and Wahlroos lag behind the family company Laakkonen, whose main lines of business are in car sales and publishing. The Laakkonen family farm in Hyvinkää got EUR 333,000 last year. Also coming out ahead of Herlin was Georg J.C. Ehrnrooth, who received EUR 247,000 in support.
     
One of the most northerly recipients of large amounts of aid was Levi-Farm in Kittilä, which got almost exactly half a million euros, putting it in 18th place. Slightly ahead of it were Ruusutarhat Suutari, the production company of the Ruusutarhat concern, which claims to be the largest producer of roses in the Nordic Countries, as well as Heikki Veli Matti Kokkonen.
     
The Finnish state is also among the beneficiaries through its various institutions. Some municipalities and institutes also get significant support. The second-largest beneficiary, MTT's Jokioinen Manor, is a state-run institution.
      Ranking 39th place is the Pelso Prison, which got EUR 400,000 in agricultural support. Konnunsuo Prison got EUR 265,000, and Sukeva Prison got EUR 260,000. The Satakunta Prison in Huittinen got EUR 208,000 in agricultural subsidies.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 3.5.2008


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Sampo Group CEO major beneficiary of agricultural subsidies (14.11.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat