Jennie Nilsson

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is increasing the number of student places. One hundred new places are already being created for summer courses this year and the number of places in the foundation year is being increased. The aim is to meet the increased need for education and transition in the labour market as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 virus.

The Government is relaunching an initiative for green jobs for people who are far from the labour market. The initiative is aimed at mitigating unemployment linked to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. SEK 150 million has been set aside for 2020 and is part of the Government’s proposed Spring Amending Budget for 2020, which is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

On 9 April, the Government adopted a legislative amendment that makes it possible for the National Veterinary Institute to conduct diagnostic tests for the COVID-19 virus in people.

Through an investment initiative, the European Commission has proposed measures aimed at making it easier for countries and regions to introduce measures to respond to the impacts of COVID-19. On 27 March, the Government therefore instructed the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth to work with the regions to analyse needs and prioritise measures to deal with the impacts of COVID-19 within European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programmes. The Government considers that focus should be on measures to finance working capital in small- and medium-sized enterprises.

On Thursday, Minister for Rural Affairs Jennie Nilsson called a meeting for the food industry to gain a picture of stakeholders’ preparedness in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Trade organisations, food companies and trade union representatives for the food industry took part in the meeting.

Listen to the Minister for Rural Affairs, Jennie Nilsson, talk about food security in Sweden. "We have plenty of food available. There is currently no food shortage in Sweden."

On Friday 17 January, Minister for Rural Affairs Jennie Nilsson will open the Swedish stand at International Green Week in Berlin, the world’s largest food exhibition for consumers. For the third year in a row, a Swedish stand will be in place, showcasing food and beverages from more than 20 Swedish producers. On the same day, Ms Nilsson will also meet a large number of ministerial colleagues from around the world and showcase Swedish food and beverages for German consumers.

Targeted cod fishing in the eastern Baltic Sea will be banned in 2020, and the opportunities for cod fishing in the western part will be substantially reduced. This was agreed by the EU ministers of agriculture and fisheries on 14–15 October. Minister for Rural Affairs Jennie Nilsson represented Sweden.

Opening remarks by Minister for Rural Affairs, Jennie Nilsson at the Arctic Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue, Umeå, 4 October, 2019.

Here are the contact details for the ministers’ press secretaries.