2023-03-082022/23:CU15 · p.2CUCivil law & housing
Future regulation of agricultural land acquisition legislation
Inquiry into generational transitions in farming and the land acquisition act
What's at stake: The outcome affects how easy it will be for farmers to pass on holdings to the next generation, such as siblings or other relatives outside the circle already covered by today's exemption from acquisition permits.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether parliament should call on the government to launch a broad inquiry into easing generational transitions in farming, including the land-acquisition act, or whether current rules are considered sufficient.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motion. The land acquisition act already contains a kinship exemption covering the closest heirs, such as a child acquiring from a parent, and the government is monitoring the issue of transfers by will. The committee therefore sees no reason to launch a further inquiry now.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (SD)
The Sweden Democrats want parliament to instruct the government to launch a broad inquiry into how generational transitions in farming can be facilitated, including the land-acquisition and tenancy legislation, since large capital investments are required at ownership transitions and the rules matter for rural areas.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 1 by SD.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
The decision would have held
Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: KDKristdemokraterna
Ja 235–64Ja 219–80
Counterfactual: the parties above are moved to the position their own documents explicitly point at, carrying their whole contingent present. Every other party keeps its real figures, including dissenters and absentees.
How the AI parties would have voted
For each party: what its own plan – election manifesto and party programme – argues for in this case, next to how the party actually voted. The AI can only answer Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| AI | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | differs | confidence: low | not addressed |
| S | No | Yes 91/0/0/16 | differs | confidence: low | not addressed |
| MP | No | Yes 15/0/0/3 | differs | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | differs | confidence: high | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | differs | confidence: low | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| M | No | Yes 57/0/0/11 | differs | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| SD | No | No 0/64/0/9 | match | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
Parliament rejects motion 2022/23:985 by Martin Kinnunen et al. (SD) request 43.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2022/23:985 av Martin Kinnunen m.fl. (SD) yrkande 43.
Riksdag decision: Parliament agreed with the government's proposal for changes to agricultural land acquisition law. The law changes mean that the definition of agricultural property is expanded to include not only real property that is assessed as an agricultural unit but also real property that has been converted or newly established for the purpose of agriculture or forestry but has not yet been subject to property taxation. One of the purposes of agricultural land acquisition law is to maintain balance in land ownership between individuals and legal entities with regard to agricultural properties. Therefore, a so-called förvärvstillstånd (acquisition permit) is required when legal entities such as a company wish to acquire an agricultural property. The narrow definition of what constitutes agricultural property has in some noted cases allowed legal entities to acquire property from individuals without the provisions on acquisition permits becoming applicable. This is why the government believes the rules should be changed. The new rules are proposed to come into force on 15 April 2023.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to investigate how generational transfers within agriculture can be facilitated. (SD) — Reservation 1
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan wants the countryside not to be impoverished, that more of the value of natural resources stays where they are produced, and that sustainable food production is invested in, with more active state rural policy.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants the countryside not to be impoverished, that more of the value of natural resources stays where they are produced, and that sustainable food production is invested in, with more active state rural policy. An investigation into how generational changes in agriculture can be facilitated aims at precisely that people should be able to live and work in the countryside. The plan does not address the land acquisition law, so support is derived and uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill att landsbygden inte utarmas, att mer av naturresursernas värden stannar där de produceras och att hållbar livsmedelsproduktion satsas på, med en mer aktiv statlig landsbygdspolitik. En utredning om hur generationsskiften inom lantbruket kan underlättas syftar till just att människor ska kunna bo och verka på landsbygden. Planen behandlar inte jordförvärvslagen, så stödet är härlett och osäkert.
- living countrysidedecisive»Oavsett var i landet vi bor så har vi ett gemensamt intresse av att landsbygden inte utarmas« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Regardless of where in the country we live, we have a common interest in the countryside not being impoverished”
- sustainable food production»En annan viktig del i den gröna omställningen är satsningar på hållbar livsmedelsproduktion« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Another important part of the green transition is investment in sustainable food production”
- values stay local»Mer av naturresursernas värden måste stanna kvar där de utvinns och produceras« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More of the value of natural resources must stay where they are extracted and produced”
- active rural policy»mer aktiv statlig industri- och landsbygdspolitik« (party programme ↗)“more active state industry and rural policy.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address land acquisition law, but establishes that the entire country shall be able to live and develop and that new business formation and entrepreneurship shall be stimulated with clear rules.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address land acquisition law, but establishes that the entire country shall be able to live and develop and that new business formation and entrepreneurship shall be stimulated with clear rules. An investigation into how generational shifts in agriculture can be facilitated aligns with this and with the requirement for ecologically sustainable agriculture. The support is therefore derived and uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte jordförvärvslagen, men slår fast att hela landet ska kunna leva och utvecklas och att nyföretagande och företagsamhet ska stimuleras med tydliga regler. En utredning om hur generationsskiften i lantbruket kan underlättas ligger i linje med detta och med kravet på ett ekologiskt uthålligt åkerbruk. Stödet är därför härlett och osäkert.
- the entire country shall livedecisive»Alla har ett gemensamt intresse av att hela landet kan leva och utvecklas.« (party programme ↗)“All have a common interest in the entire country being able to live and develop.”
- stimulate entrepreneurship»entreprenörskap och kooperativ och social företagsamhet ska stimuleras.« (party programme ↗)“entrepreneurship and cooperatives and social entrepreneurship shall be stimulated.”
- sustainable agriculture»Hänsynen till miljöns krav ska byggas in i produktionsprocesserna redan från början.« (party programme ↗)“Consideration of environmental requirements shall be built into production processes from the start.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants a viable agriculture throughout the country and wants to strengthen agriculture for increased self-sufficiency, and views positively on local ownership with access to capital.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants a viable agriculture throughout the country and wants to strengthen agriculture for increased self-sufficiency, and views positively on local ownership with access to capital. Generational shifts require substantial capital investments, so a broad review of land acquisition and lease legislation to facilitate them serves these goals. The plan does not specifically address the land acquisition law as such.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill ha ett livskraftigt jordbruk i hela landet och stärka jordbruket för ökad självförsörjning, och den ser positivt på lokalt ägande med tillgång till kapital. Generationsskiften kräver stora kapitalinsatser, så en bred utredning av jordförvärvs- och arrendelagstiftningen för att underlätta dem tjänar dessa mål. Planen uttalar sig inte om jordförvärvslagen som sådan.
- viable agriculturedecisive»Sverige ska ha ett livskraftigt jordbruk i hela landet« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall have viable agriculture throughout the country”
- increased self-sufficiency»stärka det svenska jordbruket för ökad självförsörjning med baslivsmedel« (2022 manifesto ↗)“strengthen Swedish agriculture for increased self-sufficiency in basic foodstuffs”
- local ownership and capital»Vi ser positivt på lokalt ägande varför det måste« (party programme ↗)“We view positively on local ownership why it must”
- preserved agricultural land»goda jordbruksmarker ska skyddas från exploatering« (party programme ↗)“good agricultural land shall be protected from exploitation”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan's core commitment is a more competitive agriculture through regulatory simplification and tax cuts, and that rural residents should get more self-determination over their own land.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's core commitment is a more competitive agriculture through regulatory simplification and tax cuts, and that rural residents should get more self-determination over their own land. An investigation of how generational handovers in farming can be eased, including land acquisition and tenancy legislation, lies directly in this line. The party programme additionally makes the independent farmer's property rights a core principle.
Original (Swedish)
Planens bärande åtagande är ett mer konkurrenskraftigt jordbruk genom regelförenklingar och skattesänkningar, och att landsbygdsbor ska få mer självbestämmande över sin egen mark. En utredning om hur generationsskiften i lantbruket kan underlättas, inklusive jordförvärvs- och arrendelagstiftningen, ligger direkt i den linjen. Partiprogrammet gör dessutom den självägande bondens äganderätt till en central princip.
- competitive agriculturedecisive»Sverige behöver ett ännu mer konkurrenskraftigt jordbruk. En långsiktigt hållbar livsmedelsförsörjning med ökad försörjningstrygghet och ökad matproduktion kräver regelförenklingar och skattesänkningar, inklusive ett kraftfullt jordbruksavdrag och en biodrivmedelspremie som gör det hållbara lantbruket mer lönsamt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden needs an even more competitive agriculture. Long-term sustainable food supply with increased supply security and increased food production requires regulatory simplification and tax cuts, including a powerful farming tax credit and a biofuel premium making sustainable farming more profitable.”
- principle of owner-farming»Äganderätten är central för ett samhälle där människor kan förverkliga sig själva och sina drömmar.« (party programme ↗)“Property rights are central to a society where people can realise themselves and their dreams.”
- self-determination over own land»Det är dags att ge landsbygdsborna mer självbestämmande över sin egen mark, och genom regelförenklingar göra det enklare att bygga och bo på landsbygden.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is time to give rural residents more self-determination over their own land and, through regulatory simplification, make it easier to build and live in rural areas.”
- clear out regulatory red tape»Dyra, krångliga och innovationshämmande regelverk ligger som en våt filt över delar av landsbygden. Vi ska rensa upp bland överflödiga regler och byråkrati.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Expensive, complicated, and innovation-hindering regulations lie like a wet blanket over parts of the countryside. We shall clear out redundant rules and bureaucracy.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address the Land Acquisition Act, but establishes that regulatory burden on small businesses shall decrease, that property rights shall be protected in law and that conditions for business throughout the country including sparsely populated areas shall be improved.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address the Land Acquisition Act, but establishes that regulatory burden on small businesses shall decrease, that property rights shall be protected in law and that conditions for business throughout the country including sparsely populated areas shall be improved. Sustainable agriculture and forestry are seen as part of the solution to environmental challenges. An investigation that facilitates succession in agriculture thereby aligns with the plan's principles.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte jordförvärvslagen, men slår fast att regelbördan för små företag ska minska, att äganderätten ska värnas i lag och att villkoren för företagande i hela landet inklusive glesbygden ska förbättras. Ett hållbart jord- och skogsbruk ses som en del av lösningen på miljöutmaningarna. En utredning som underlättar generationsskiften i lantbruket ligger därför i linje med planens principer.
- reduced regulatory burdendecisive»Regelbördan för små företag ska minska« (party programme ↗)“Regulatory burden on small businesses shall decrease”
- conditions for business in sparsely populated areas»Företagandet i hela Sverige hämmas när skatten kan vara fem, sex eller sju kronor högre per hundralapp i glesbygd än i Stockholm.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Business is hindered throughout Sweden when taxes can be five, six or seven kronor higher per one hundred kronor in sparsely populated areas than in Stockholm.”
- property rights protected»Lagar och regler ska slå vakt om äganderätt,« (party programme ↗)“Laws and rules shall protect property rights,”
- viable agriculture»Ett hållbart jord- och skogsbruk är en del av lösningen på dagens miljöutmaningar.« (party programme ↗)“Sustainable agriculture and forestry is part of the solution to today's environmental challenges.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto explicitly promises to facilitate generation changes in businesses and that Swedish agriculture shall receive regulatory changes and cost reductions to strengthen competitiveness.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto explicitly promises to facilitate generation changes in businesses and that Swedish agriculture shall receive regulatory changes and cost reductions to strengthen competitiveness. The party programme requires that rules be designed so that generation changes in businesses are facilitated. A broad investigation into how generation changes in agriculture can be facilitated, including land acquisition and lease legislation, is precisely what the plan calls for.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet utlovar uttryckligen att generationsskiften av företag ska underlättas och att svenskt lantbruk ska få regeländringar och kostnadslättnader för att stärka konkurrenskraften. Partiprogrammet kräver att reglerna utformas så att generationsskiften i företagen underlättas. En bred utredning om hur generationsskiften i lantbruket kan underlättas, inklusive jordförvärvs- och arrendelagstiftningen, är precis vad planen efterfrågar.
- facilitate generation changesdecisive»Underlätta personalägande och generationsskifte av företag« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Facilitate personal ownership and generation change of businesses”
- rules for generation changes»Skatteregler ska utformas så att generationsskiften i företagen underlättas.« (party programme ↗)“Tax rules shall be designed so that generation changes in businesses are facilitated.”
- relief from rules for agriculture»Regeländringar och kostnadslättnader för svenskt lantbruk för att öka Sveriges självförsörjning och stärka lantbrukets konkurrenskraft.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Regulatory changes and cost reductions for Swedish agriculture to increase Sweden's self-sufficiency and strengthen agriculture's competitiveness.”
- agriculture is prioritized»Vi prioriterar lantbruket, det som sällan syns i media men som producerar vår mat.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We prioritize agriculture, what is rarely seen in media but produces our food.”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The plan commits to improving conditions for running agriculture through lower taxes and less regulatory red tape, to strengthen ownership and use rights for farmers, and to strengthen the food strategy.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan commits to improving conditions for running agriculture through lower taxes and less regulatory red tape, to strengthen ownership and use rights for farmers, and to strengthen the food strategy. Conditions for Swedish agriculture and forestry shall be good over generations. An investigation into how generational shifts in agriculture can be facilitated, including land acquisition and lease regulations, is therefore in line with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen åtar sig att förbättra förutsättningarna att driva lantbruk genom lägre skatter och mindre regelkrångel, att stärka ägande- och brukanderätten för jordbrukare och att förstärka livsmedelsstrategin. Förutsättningarna för svenskt jord- och skogsbruk ska vara goda över generationerna. En utredning om hur generationsskiften i lantbruket kan underlättas, inklusive jordförvärvs- och arrendereglerna, ligger därför i linje med planen.
- strengthened ownership rights in agriculturedecisive»Stärka ägande- och brukanderätten för jordbrukare« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen ownership and use rights for farmers”
- better conditions for agriculture»Moderaterna vill förbättra förutsättningarna att driva lantbruk genom att sänka skatterna, vilket vi redan börjat göra på drivmedel, och minska regelkrånglet så att kostnaderna för administration går ner.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Moderates want to improve conditions for running agriculture by lowering taxes, which we have already started doing on fuel, and reduce regulatory red tape so that administrative costs go down.”
- good conditions for agriculture»svenskt jord- och skogsbruk ska vara goda« (party programme ↗)“Swedish agriculture and forestry shall be good”
- strengthened food production»Förstärka livsmedelsstrategin« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen the food strategy”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to simplify the regulations for agriculture and forestry, strengthen property rights, and increase profitability so that people can live and work in the countryside.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to simplify the regulations for agriculture and forestry, strengthen property rights, and increase profitability so that people can live and work in the countryside. A broad inquiry into how generational changes in agriculture can be facilitated, including land acquisition and lease legislation, serves exactly these commitments. The plan is silent on the committee's reasoning that the kinship exemption already covers the matter.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill förenkla regelverken för jord- och skogsbruk, stärka äganderätten och öka lönsamheten så att människor kan bo och verka på landsbygden. En bred utredning om hur generationsskiften inom lantbruket kan underlättas, inklusive jordförvärvs- och arrendelagstiftningen, tjänar just dessa åtaganden. Planen är tyst om utskottets skäl att släktskapsundantaget redan täcker frågan.
- simplified rules for agriculturedecisive»Förenkla regelverken och förbättra rättssäkerheten« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Simplify the regulations and improve legal certainty”
- profitability in agriculture»Ökad lönsamhet i svenskt lantbruk ger förutsättningar för utveckling och långsiktighet inom areella näringar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increased profitability in Swedish agriculture creates conditions for development and long-term viability in land-based industries.”
- strengthened property rights»Stärka äganderätten« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen property rights”
- freedom to farm one's land»frihet att bruka sin mark, frihet att utveckla sina affärsverksamheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“freedom to farm one's land, freedom to develop one's business operations”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2022/23:CU15)
- Committee report full text (HA01CU15)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2022/23:985 — Låt det svenska jordbruket prestera av Martin Kinnunen m.fl. (SD)
- Proposition 2022/23:32 — Ändringar i jordförvärvslagen i syfte att hindra att bestämmelserna om förvärvstillstånd kringgås
Source: The Swedish Parliament