The Swedish Forest Agency is the national authority in charge of forest-related issues. Their main function is to promote the kind of management of Sweden's forests that enables the objectives of forest policy to be attained.

The forest policy places equal emphasis on two main objectives: production goals and environmental goals. As the administrative body in charge of implementing the forest policy, they cooperate with representatives from the forest industries and environmental sector towards the goals of economically and ecologically sustainable forestry.

They are placed under the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation. Each year they receive direction from the government with goals and the financial framework for the organization.

Sweden’s forests are a national asset and resource. It is important that the forest is managed to give sustainable high yields while biological diversity is maintained. Forest management should even show consideration to other interests, such as the public’s need of forest environments for recreation.

The general public is strongly engaged in issues related to forests and forestry. It is important for society that the forests resources are used without using them up so future generations benefit from this national asset.

The Forest Agency has offices in approximately 80 places in the country, with the head office in Jönköping.

The Forest Agency is led by the Director-General. A board appointed by the government has utmost responsibility. Three departments, the Forest Department, the Administrative Department and the Consulting Services Department, support the daily operations.

Several of the employees in these departments are stationed in local offices located around the country.

An important part of their work is field-based, such as inventories, site visits and their contacts with forest owners. This role is largely carried out by the local districts, which are geographically divided into three regions.

Almost 800 people are employed by the Forest Agency.