FINNISH NATIONAL CONSENSUS PLATFORM FOR ALTERNATIVES

• News and Events
  1. News
  2. List of Congresses
  3. Education Courses
  4. Grants and Awards
• Background
  1. History
  2. 3R Principles
  3. Finnish Legislation
• Member section
  1. Members
  2. Board Members
  3. Member Meetings
  4. Bylaws of Fincopa
• Society Activities
  1. Seminars and Meetings
  2. Other Activities
• Archive
  1. Alternative Methods
  2. Nordic Overview
  3. Ecopa Questionnaire
  4. Useful Reading
• Links
• Suomeksi

Finnish legislation

Legislation on animal protection

Legislation on animal protection sets out the minimum requirements for the places where animals are kept, for the breeding and rearing conditions and for the care and treatment of animals. The law prescribes the general principles for the humane treatment of animals and minimum requirements for all activities involving animals. The legislation on animal protection today no longer aims solely at preventing unnecessary suffering and cruel treatment, but also at promoting animal health, happiness and general welfare.

Requirements concerning animal welfare are laid down in the Act on Animal Protection (247/1996, amend. 1194/1996 and 594/1998), Statute on Animal Protection (396/1996, amend. 402/1998), Statute on the Transport of Animals (491/1996, amend. 1398/1997 and 955/1998) and Statute on Animal Experimentation (1076/1985, amend. 395/1996). More exact and detailed provisions on requirements for the keeping, care, treatment and handling of animals have been laid down in several Decisions issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The Decisions concern the keeping of different animal species and activities and measures involving animals.

Finland is party to all five conventions of the Council of Europe on animal protection. Finland signed the European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport as early as 1975 and the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes in 1990. In 1992 Finland became party to the European Conventions on the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes, on the Protection of Pet Animals and on the Protection of Animals for Slaughter.

The objective of the Finnish Act on Animal Protection is to protect animals from suffering, pain and distress in the best manner possible and to promote the welfare and good treatment of animals. The Act concerns all animals, both wild animals and animals kept by humans, such as pets, domestic animals and farmed animals. Acts, Statutes and ministerial Decisions lay down the conditions necessary to protect animals from suffering that can be avoided or prevented. An important principle in animal care is good treatment and the prevention of unnecessary suffering. In animal keeping, the animal’s health must be promoted and attention must be paid to its physiological and behavioural needs.

While legislation prescribes principles, the animal carer is responsible for the animal’s well being in practice. He or she becomes the animal’s “next of kin”. The animal’s welfare depends directly on its carer’s expertise, professional skills and work motivation.

The number of domestic animals in Finland on 1.12.1999.

The place where animals are kept

The place where an animal is kept is its home: a familiar and safe haven. It must be sufficiently large, sheltered, well-lit, clean, safe and appropriate in every respect. The place of keeping must not cause harm to an animal or endanger its health. It must be roomy enough to permit the animal to move about, stand and lie down in its natural position. It must be designed so as to permit convenient care and inspection of the animal. The animal must be sufficiently protected against inclement weather, excessive cold, heat and dampness. Conditions in the place of keeping must be such that they allow the animal to remain healthy and in a good state of well-being. The place of keeping must be sufficiently ventilated to prevent dust, draft, noxious gases and excessive dampness from undermining the animal’s health or welfare. The animal’s immediate surroundings must permit it to satisfy its most important behavioural and physiological needs.

Efforts are made to design new places of keeping that permit greater freedom of movement. For example free-stall barns and exercise yards are being built. Both scientific studies and extensive practical experience testify to the importance of exercise in an animal’s health and welfare. Fresh air and exercise improve mental and physical well-being and improve an animal’s resistance to infections, thereby decreasing morbidity.

The care and treatment of animals

An animal that depends on the care of humans must not be abandoned. Animals must never be treated or handled roughly or violently, but always in a calm and reasonable way. They must not be frightened or excited unnecessarily. Their natural patterns of behaviour, for example their herd instinct, must be taken advantage of when handling them. A relationship of mutual trust should exist between the animal and its carer. It should be remembered that animals, too, need peace and sufficient rest. Their welfare and living conditions should be inspected regularly. Sick and weak animals and animals about to give birth need frequent checking and special care from their keeper. A sick or injured animal must receive adequate care without delay and if necessary it must be isolated from the other animals to ensure sufficient rest and peace.

An adequate supply of nourishment and drink suitable for the animal is essential to its welfare and health. The feed must be of good quality and composed so that it can be easily consumed by the animal. The feed must contain all the necessary nutrients in the correct proportions. It must not contain poisonous or hazardous substances or other impurities that may have a detrimental effect on the animal’s welfare and health. Each animal’s needs must be taken into account, and it must be ensured that each animal receives enough nourishment. If an animal is weaker or more timid than the others in a large herd, it risks remaining without its portion of feed unless the animal carer prevents the stronger animals from dominating the feeding area.

In addition to food and drink, animals need other attention, such as washing and grooming. It is important that animals have enough to do, and they should be offered opportunities to be active. Animals often obtain their food without much effort and in a compact form, and so they have plenty of spare time. As a consequence considerable attention has been paid recently in developing methods which would add interest into animals’ lives.

Animal breeding and gene technology

According to legislation, animal breeding must have regard to the animals’ welfare and health. It prohibits both animal breeding and breeding methods that may cause suffering or seriously impair an animal’s health or welfare.

The Act on Animal Protection prohibits the use of gene technology to alter the quantity or quality of animal production if it detrimentally affects the animals’ health or welfare. An animal’s genotype can be altered with gene technology, but there is little experience or research information on the effect of this method on the welfare of production animals.

Influencing performance or production

The Act on Animal Protection prohibits animal doping, i.e. the use of drugs or similar substances or preparations to artificially improve, lower or maintain an animal’s performance. Artificially improving the productivity of an animal with drugs or similar substances or preparations is likewise prohibited by the Act, unless it can be proved that these products do not harm the health or welfare of the animal. Special substances cannot be used to increase the productivity of an animal, unless it has been proven in scientific studies or by extensive established experience that these substances are harmless to animals. An animal may neither be fattened nor may its productivity be increased by force-feeding.

If there is any reason to suspect that special substances or preparations have been used to boost an animal’s performance, the animal welfare authority has a right to inspect the place where the animal is kept and take necessary samples. Associations arranging animal competitions routinely take samples from animals to ensure that an animal’s performance is not being enhanced by dishonest means. The practice of taking random samples to control doping is especially common in trotting-races.

Animal shelters

The Act on Animal Protection obligates municipalities to arrange temporary care for stray cats, dogs and other small pets found within municipal boundaries until the animal’s owner or keeper claims the impounded pet. Already prior to the new Act on Animal Protection that entered into force in 1996, many municipalities had established animal shelters for the lost local pets on their own initiative. Nowadays animal pounds are obligatory in every municipality. A municipality may establish a shelter jointly with other municipalities. There are over 80 shelters for stray animals in Finland.
An impounded animal is kept for a minimum of 15 days, after which the municipality has a right to sell, give away or put down an unclaimed animal. Most stray animals are returned to their owner, but others find a new home and owner through the municipal pound.

A municipality has a right to charge the owner for the impounding of the animal, the care it was given at the shelter or the cost of putting it down, should this be necessary.

Animal competitions, zoos and circuses

If an animal risks being exposed to pain, distress or excessive strain in a competition, the organiser must summon a veterinarian who will supervise compliance with the animal welfare legislation. The organiser is liable for the related costs. The veterinarian must forbid the participation of an animal in the competition, if he or she suspects that the animal will be used in a manner that violates the law. If the owner of the animal refuses to comply with the prohibition issued by the veterinarian, it is the responsibility of the organiser of the competition to prevent the participation of the animal.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry may altogether prohibit animal competitions and similar events where pain, distress or excessive strain may be caused to animals.

Zoos, permanent and travelling animal shows, and circuses must obtain a permit from the provincial government before they can start operating. The provincial government may revoke a permit if the conditions laid down, or the animal welfare legislation, are not complied with.

There are over 60 zoos and animal parks in Finland, most of which are rather small animal sanctuaries or farm enterprises. The biggest zoos are located in Helsinki (Korkeasaari Zoo), Ranua (Ranua Zoo), Ähtäri (Ähtäri Zoo), and Lieto (Zoolandia).

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has issued a Decision on which animals can be used in circuses and similar exhibitions where animals are taught to perform tricks. In Finland it is illegal, for example, to use predatory animals, primates, elephants, ostriches or seals in circuses. On the other hand, domestic animals such as cats, dogs and horses, are allowed to perform to the public at circuses.

Animal nurseries, pet shops, trotting and riding stables and farmed game

The Act on Animal Protection lists a number of activities that must be notified to the provincial government before they are started. This applies to the professional or large-scale keeping of pets and hobby animals, any setting aside of fenced areas for game management and keeping game or other wild animals for production purposes. Accordingly, pet shops, animal nurseries, large trotting and riding stables and large kennels must notify the provincial government of their activities. After receiving the notification, the provincial government may prohibit the activities if they do not comply with legislative requirements.

There are over 400 large kennels and pet shops in Finland, and over 600 trotting and riding stables. There are 111 farms where ostriches, emus, wild boars or bison are kept for production and 45 game farms kept for game management.

The transport of animals

Transport causes animals considerable stress, which is impossible to avoid because farm production animals often have to be transferred from the farm where they were born to the farm where they will be reared and later to the abattoir. Many animals travel around Europe to competitions, shows and for training. Family pets often go on holidays and other trips with their family.

Transporting animals for financial gain is subject to a licence in Finland. The licence is applied for from the provincial government. A licence has been granted to 407 animal transport operators. The majority, i.e. over 70%, of the operators are so-called one-man firms, where operations are handled by one man with one vehicle. The animal transport fleet is of good quality in Finland, where the climate alone sets strict requirements for the fleet.

The welfare of animals during transport and in all related operations is protected by the Act on Animal Protection and by the Statute on the Transport of Animals. The animals must not be caused any unnecessary pain or distress at any stage during transport, loading or unloading. During transport they must be protected from injury and illness. An animal may not be transported if it is not fit for the intended journey and also if no arrangements have been made to care for the animal during the journey and at the destination. A sick or injured animal may only be transported in exceptional cases. For example transporting an animal to a veterinarian is allowed under certain conditions.

As the quality of the transport fleet in Finland is good and the drivers are skilled in their job, animals are guaranteed appropriate conditions during transport. Animals for slaughter travel in vehicles that are well equipped and maintained, and they have an opportunity to rest during transport. Before granting a licence for the transport of animals, the provincial government checks that the drivers are well-trained professionals who will treat the animals properly complying with appropriate rules.

Killing and slaughter of animals

An animal has to be killed as quickly and painlessly as possible. It may only be done by a person who has sufficient expertise. Permissible killing methods for different animal species are prescribed in the Statute on Animal Protection and in more detail in the related ministerial Decision.

Slaughter is an essential part of the production chain for food of animal origin. Slaughter and related measures are subject to the same general principles that apply to any other treatment and handling of animals. An animal must not be caused unnecessary suffering, pain or distress while it is handled or kept in an abattoir. The rule of thumb being that before bleeding the animal must be stunned quickly, efficiently and for a sufficiently long period of time. Bleeding must be started immediately after stunning. No other measures are to be performed on the animal before it is dead. In addition to meat inspection duties, the inspecting veterinarian ensures that the abattoir complies with the legislation.

Animal welfare authorities and supervision

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry directs, guides and generally supervises compliance with the animal welfare legislation. In provinces, compliance is supervised by provincial veterinarians working for provincial governments. Municipal veterinarians, health inspectors and the police act as the local animal welfare authorities. Inspecting veterinarians supervise compliance with the law at abattoirs and places of slaughter, and border veterinarians at border crossings, exit points and veterinary border control points. The police are mainly responsible for controlling animal transport on roads, but at abattoirs their responsibility is taken over by the inspecting veterinarian.

There are also a number of animal welfare inspectors whom the provincial government has authorised to make animal welfare inspections as referred to in law. However, these inspectors cannot perform official duties but have to contact the appropriate authority who will take the measures necessary to improve animal welfare. At present there are 31 animal welfare inspectors. Various societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals have inspectors working as volunteers, but under legislation they do not have a right to make inspections.

If there is any reason to suspect that an animal is being cared for, treated, used or transported in violation of the animal welfare legislation, the animal welfare authority has a right to make an inspection. Inspections may also be carried out, without a suspected violation, in places where operations are subject to a licence from or a notification to the provincial government as referred to in the Protection of Animals Act. Such places include zoos and animal shows, pet shops, nurseries for small animals, large kennels, circuses, game preserves, and trotting and riding stables. Similarly, inspections may be conducted at animal competitions and other such events even in the absence of a suspected violation. This also applies to the inspection of animal transport by the police. Inspection veterinarians may inspect abattoirs and their surroundings even if there is no reason to suspect a violation. In 1999 veterinarians performed over 4,700 animal welfare inspections.

The person carrying out the inspection must be allowed access to all the places where animals are kept and the right to take any necessary samples. During the inspection the animals themselves are inspected, as well as the place where they are kept and its condition, the food, drink and equipment meant for the animals. The authority inspecting animal transport is naturally also entitled to check the means of transport.

Official measures

If an animal welfare inspection reveals a violation of the animal welfare legislation, the authority shall forbid the owner or keeper of the animal to continue the illegal activities or order him or her to comply with the minimum legal requirements regarding an animal’s pen, conditions, care and treatment. The authority must also set a time limit for compliance with the order. After the time limit has expired, a new inspection is carried out at the animal holding units to ensure that the order given by the authority has been followed. If necessary, the provincial government can make the order more effective by imposing a fine or threatening that otherwise the matter will be handled at the defaulter’s expense.

Advice and guidance given by the authorities on how to improve animal welfare form a significant part of the benefit offered by these inspections. Advice is given in cases where the Act on Animal Protection has not been violated, but where the environment, conditions and care of an animal can be improved by guiding the animal carer on how to remove some of the minor defects noted in the way the animal is kept.

If necessary, the inspector can take immediate measures to secure the welfare of an animal. The animal may be sent to be cared for elsewhere, or a carer may be hired to safeguard the welfare of the animal. Feed or any other substance essential to the animal’s welfare may be obtained. The authority also has a right to sell the animal, have it slaughtered or put down. In the case of production animals it is usually best to hire a substitute carer at the animal holding unit or send the animals to the abattoir. Small animals are usually sent to a nursery or kennel for care. Animals that are in an extremely poor condition are usually put down.

Animal experiments

In Finland the use of vertebrate animals for experimental purposes is subject to a licence from the provincial government. There are 113 experimental establishments in Finland. The Statute on Animal Experimentation lays down detailed conditions for experimentation. It contains provisions on the supervision of animal experiments, the use, purchase and keeping of animals, the competence of the persons performing the experiments and of the animal carers and the supervising authority’s right to interrupt an individual experiment or all animal experiments at the establishment.

In addition to the licence required for the activity itself, each animal experiment requires a permit. If the experiment will cause the animal only slight pain or distress or pain or distress of short duration, the committee set up at the institute can grant the permit. If the experiment may cause the animal a serious illness or substantial pain or distress, the provincial government can grant the permit.

A doctor, a veterinarian or another person who holds a university degree and has attended a course on animal experiments and the use of animals for scientific purposes can perform experiments on animals.

The institute must keep a list of all animal experiments performed and of the animals used classified by species. The statistics must be delivered every year to the provincial government and from there to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which compiles annual statistics of the animal experiments carried out in Finland and of the animals used. These statistics are sent every year to the secretary general of the Council of Europe and to the European Commission.

The provincial government is responsible for supervising animal experiments. Its representative has a right to be present at animal experiments and conduct necessary inspections and investigations concerning experimental animals, their keeping and care and documents on the experiments. Legislation empowers the provincial government to interfere if an establishment or even an individual animal experiment violates animal welfare Acts.

Figure 1. Establishments conducting experiments (113 establishments)

Figure 2. Animals used in experiments (230 326 animals used)

EU inspections

EU inspections are carried out at animal units to supervise compliance with animal welfare directives. Animal transports are also inspected by conducting checks at loading and unloading places and on the road. The objective is to inspect 2% of all pig and calf units.

Inspections must be performed by a veterinarian. The farms to be inspected are chosen by random sampling from the register of farms. A municipal veterinarian is sent to conduct the inspection on the farm. Provincial veterinarians inspect animal transport vehicles on the road, while inspecting veterinarians conduct inspections at abattoirs’ unloading bays . A special NCR form has been designed to help the veterinarian to make the inspection run as smoothly as possible and to ensure that all aspects are covered during the inspection. The owner of the animals receives one copy of the completed inspection form. The provincial government gathers information on the inspections performed and on any relevant issues arising therefrom. The results are sent to the Ministry, which in turn reports the outcome to the European Commission.

In 1999, inspections were carried out at a total of 87 pig units and 510 calf units. About 246 animal transports were inspected. In most inspections the circumstances were in conformity with the Act on Animal Protection. The main concerns on calf units concerned the practice of keeping calves tethered or in crowded pens. The transport vehicles inspected were in good condition; no major structural defects were detected. All animal transport operators were licensed for their operations. A few inspections revealed some wear and tear in the vehicle structures or the number of animals allowed per vehicle were slightly exceeded.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 2000

To top of page