Crisis plans have been enhanced in Finland for the case that the pine wood nematode(Bursaphelenchus xylophilis)  will arrive in Finland. The Plant Production Inspection Centre (KTTK), in co-operation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK) and the Finnish Forest Industries Federation has updated its crisis plans.

The growth of international trade has also increased the pest risk. The pine wood nematode is one of the most dangerous plant pests. When it was found in Portugal in 1999 severe and comprehensive precautionary measures were taken and they are still being applied. Destroying the wood pest has proved to be a difficult endeavour.
Packages of coniferous wood seem to constitute the greatest risk of having pinewood nematodes in Finland. They contain various goods from countries where the pine wood nematode exists. Also imports of raw coniferous timber constitute an increasing risk factor. Finnish pines do not have any natural defences against this insect. 
What is the KTTK?
The Plant Production Inspection Centre (KTTK) is an agency functioning under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and it is responsible for ensuring the realisation of the Finnish food industry’s quality strategy in the beginning of the foodstuffs supply chain. The KTTK plays an important role in the control of foodstuffs "from the field to the fork".
The main tasks of the KTTK are to promote the safety in foodstuffs, the quality of the products, the competitiveness of the agriculture and foodstuffs industry and environmental protection. By supervising the production efforts and production in the primary production, the KTTK establishes the basis for safe products of good quality, the quality and control of which the consumer can depend on.
The KTTK guides and trains farmers, supervisors and inspectors in addition to other personnel working in this sector.
The trained and quality-aware personnel at the KTTK offers it’s customers the best expertise in the sector.
The KTTK has four departments:
Agricultural Chemistry Department
Seed Testing Department
Plant Protection Department
Grain Laboratory