Finland
Name
Farm Animal Welfare Council
Companion and Hobby Animal Welfare Council
National Committee for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes
Web address
Farm Animal Welfare Council
https://valtioneuvosto.fi/hanke?tunnus=MMM015:00/2016
Companion and Hobby Animal Welfare Council
https://valtioneuvosto.fi/hanke?tunnus=MMM041:00/2014
National Committee for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes
https://mmm.fi/hanke2?id=d21ebd48-5b88-4edc-bc2f-f7bca3a3a7f6
Scope/mission statement
The scope of the Finnish Welfare Councils is to improve animal welfare in Finland in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, other authorities and other parties in farm animal production, companion and hobby animal sector, and laboratory animal sector.
Structure
The Welfare Councils include 12–15 members and their personal deputies in addition to the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. They have a broad representation from all the central participants in animal welfare, from producer to consumer, and from breeder to hobbyist. The members represent practical agricultural, companion and hobby animal expertise, laboratory animal expertise, expertise in human medicine, animal welfare, social and economic sciences, ethical concerns on animal husbandry, animal protection officers, practical animal protection control, voluntary animal protection societies, agricultural advisory organizations, food industry, retailers and consumers.
Working methods
The Finnish Animal Welfare Councils follow and evaluate the development of animal welfare in the Finnish society. They assist in animal welfare issues and policy formulation. Councils make proposals on improving animal welfare to the Ministry, give statements on animal welfare initiatives and proposals, and make suggestions on animal welfare issues.
The Finnish Centre for Animal Welfare (https://www.elaintieto.fi/master-english.aspx) is the secretary for Farm Animal and Hobby and Companion Animal Welfare Councils. It is a joint national expert network on animal welfare for the Natural Resources Institute Finland, with the aim of promoting and guaranteeing animal welfare.
Publications
The Welfare Councils have issued statements e.g. concerning the dehorning of calves, castration of piglets, animal welfare research and education, animal welfare law, and common information on animal welfare and animal keeping. The statements are published in Finnish.
A first major report on animal welfare in Finland was published by The Finnish Centre for Animal Welfare at 2012. The report collects information and describes the state of animal welfare nationally. Download the report in English:
Contact details
Farm Animal Welfare Council
Chairman Olli Ruoho, DVM, Dipl. ECBHM, Expert veterinarian, Deputy Executive Director The Animal Health ETTra - olli.ruoho@ett.fi
Secretary Satu Raussi, PhD, Finnish Centre for Animal Welfare - satu.raussi@luke.fi
Companion and Hobby Animal Welfare Council
Chairman Mika Leppinen, LL.M. - mika.leppinen@ilry.fi
Secretary Tiina Kauppinen, PhD, Finnish Centre for Animal Welfare - tiina.kauppinen@luke.fi
National Committee for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes
Chairman Outi Vainio, Professor, DVM, PhD - outi.vainio@helsinki.fi
Secretary Eila Kaliste, PhD - eila.kaliste@avi.fi
The Finnish Centre for Animal Welfare / Animal Welfare Councils / Natural Resources Institute Finland
Latokartanonkaari 9
00790 Helsinki
Finland
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