The work on mapping the quality of agricultural land has begun.

The aim of the project is to map the quality of agricultural land at national level based on the best available data so that the mapping can be used for planning and other policy making on land use, among other things to ensure food security. The Ministry of Food and Forestry is working on the mapping.

The project is in line with Action 5 in the action plan, which provides for mapping of agricultural land suitable for food production. Actions in the action plan are intended to contribute to the progress of the objectives set out in the policy, but the national planning policy focuses on:

• that decisions in the land allocation plan are based on the classification of agricultural land with regard to the conditions of cultivation;

• that planning promotes the possibilities for a diverse and economical use of agricultural land in harmony with the environment while also ensuring the national food security; and

• that, in planning for rural areas, land that is suitable for food production will not be allocated for other uses.

The map will be used to categorise land accordingly. The main focus will be on land that is defined as very good and good agricultural land, with the aim of supporting food security in the long term.

The result of the project will be a land information database that municipalities can use for the classification of agricultural land and for policy on exploitation and conservation in planning plans. The database will be managed by Lands-og skógar and the National Planning Agency.