Legislation

Provisions on the general animal welfare requirements are laid down in the Animal Welfare Act (247/1996), Animal Transport Act (1429/2006), Council Regulation No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and Act on the Use of Animals for Experimental Purposes (62/2006). Provisions on the punishments to be imposed in case of failure to comply with the legislation are laid down in the Penal Code (39/1889), as well as the Animal Welfare Act. The requirements of the Animal Welfare Act are further specified in the Animal Welfare Decree (396/1996, Government Decree). Detailed requirements concerning the keeping, care, treatment and handling of animals are issued by Decrees of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. These apply to different animal species and various kinds of actions which also involve the behaviour of animals.

The purpose of the Animal Welfare Act is to protect the animals, in the best possible way, against distress, pain and suffering, as well as to promote the welfare and good treatment of animals. Inflicting unnecessary pain and suffering on animals is prohibited. Maintenance of animal welfare must be promoted and the physiological and behavioural needs of animals must be taken into account in all activities involving animals.

Authorities

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the supreme authority which supervises and steers the enforcement of and compliance with the animal welfare legislation. The Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira) is a central government body which also steers and controls the implementation of animal welfare legislation. The Regional State Administrative Agencies see to the compliance with the legislation in the territories. The local control authorities are the municipal veterinarians, officeholders managing the municipal health protection control, and police. Veterinary Officers for Meat Inspection supervise the compliance with animal welfare legislation at slaughterhouses and on their premises and Veterinary Officers for Border Inspection control the border crossings, exit points and veterinary border inspection posts. The control of establishments which carry out animal experiments is the responsibility of the Regional State Administrative Agency.

Further information available at Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira).