Finland to join European Digital Infrastructure Consortium for Agri-Food

Finland will join as a founding member to the new European Digital Infrastructure Consortium for the agriculture and food sectors (Agri-Food EDIC) that aims to strengthen the EU-level digital and data infrastructure in these sectors. The consortium offers a platform to the Member States for advancing multinational digital projects, enables joint investments in the digital infrastructure and promotes the competitiveness of these sectors, while also ensuring that data on the EU’s agriculture stays in the hands of the EU countries.

Besides Finland, nine EU countries are making preparations to join Agri-Food EDIC as founding members and three countries will participate in its activities as observers. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will represent Finland in the consortium. The European Commission is expected to confirm the establishment of the consortium during the first quarter of 2026.

The membership will improve Finland’s opportunities to influence the development of a digital agriculture, make use of EU funding, and promote the safe and European use of data on agriculture and food sectors. The costs are small relative to what Finland can gain through skills, networks and funding.

“As members of Agri-Food EDIC, we can participate in building the interoperable European digital infrastructure for the needs of agriculture and food sectors and ensure that the digital development will progress in a way that is favourable for Finland. The cooperation will also strengthen Finland’s competence and skills and support the companies in the sector in using data in a way that is both efficient and responsible,” Director General of the Food and Research Department Sebastian Hielm says.

Finland will join this EU-level cooperation that aims for more harmonised and efficient digital solutions for agriculture and the food chain. One of the main benefits is that European data on agriculture will remain in the hands of the EU countries and it will be used responsibly. 

“We cannot build the future digital infrastructure for the agriculture and food sectors alone. For farmers, this will be reflected in a reduction in administrative burden and better opportunities to manage their own data and its use in the future. The focus will be on a European perspective on data that stresses the ownership and self-determination of data producers,” Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah says.

The Government approved Finland becoming a founding member of Agri-Food EDIC on 22 January 2026. 

Inquiries at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry: 

Marjo Anttoora, Special Adviser 
Tel. +358 50 570 0334 

Sebastian Hielm, Director General 
Tel. +358 295 162 305 

Elli Tervala, Chief Specialist 
Tel. +358 295 162 004 

Email addresses are in the format [email protected]