Commitment to animal welfare

The finish cow diet contains 55% grass silage. The obtain protein from grass and rapeseed meal. Milk buyers and the government favour grazing. Cool climate is ideal for cows. Cows receive individual attention through a combination of good herdsman skills and technology. Most cows are in automatic milking systems that give them the liberty to milk and as they please.

Pigs, the curious family animals they are, given the possibility to eat together, to root in the floor and to sleep in small groups. Sows receive nesting material before farrowing. Medication is used only individually in case of sickness or injury.

Broiler chicks can bathe in their bedding. Sufficient ventilation, dry warm air, and optimal material keep the bedding fluffy and the chicks’ foot pads healthy. Whole grains of wheat act as enrichment. Beaks are never trimmed.

Sheep eat a grass-based diet and spend the summer grazing with their lambs. They keep their body intact.

The Finnish way to transport livestock

The temperature is mostly below zero four to six months per year. Harsh conditions are overcome by using expertise and technology.

All transport equipment is designed to accommodate to animal needs: bedding, drinking water, adjustable ventilation and height, continuous ambient temperature follow-up.

Animal welfare begins on the farm. Recognising and valuing natural animal behaviour is paramount for their handling. Our livestock transport staff are known for their professional stockmanship.

Technology guarantees traceability from farm to fork.

Livestock travels directly from farm to farm or to slaughter, which helps to prevent diseases and allows for relaxed travel. All trade procedures are handled online.

This combination of knowhow and technology ensures animal wellbeing during transportation. 

The story of healthy animals

Finnish animal products are salmonella free. The overall record in animal health is excellent and Finland is free of serious contagious disease.

Strict biosecurity rules are followed on farms. Rodents and birds are controlled by structural blocks and traps.  Wild boars are kept in control by close cooperation with hunters.

Pig tail docking is forbidden. This requires enough feeding space and minimizing stress factors: hunger, thirst, or adverse microclimate.

In milk production, good housing conditions and healthcare have contributed to reduced medication and extended cow life. Finland has the best raw milk quality in the EU.

More than 97% of pigs and dairy cows participate in a voluntary healthcare system. Medication is only prescribed by a veterinarian after diagnosis. Use of antibiotics for production animals is minimal and has been decreasing year after year.

Antibiotic use in Finnish animal production is the second lowest in the EU. The most important and powerful weapon in fighting it is by ensuring animal health and welfare.

Pain relief is part of treatment in all potentially painful conditions. Healthy animals produce tasty meat and milk with good quality.

Possibilities for sustainable farming

Our farmers re committed to safeguarding biodiversity. It starts with the smallest of creatures and from providing good living conditions for them.

There is a lot of diversity also in the use of agricultural land: we produce grains, protein and oil crops, and grassland. Without grazing cattle, sheep and reindeer, a lot of the agricultural biodiversity and many threatened natural habitats would be lost.

Eighty per cent of the land area is forest and mires, so there is also plenty of space for wildlife.

The climate is cool and rainfall moderate, but it is usually enough to keep the soil moist and crops growing.

There is also plenty of fresh water in the extensive lake and river systems, and underground. Providing animals and production systems with clean water is not a problem. A lot of work is done to maintain the good situation.

Our farmers pay great attention to the climate impact of their production and take measures to make it smaller.

Organic production is a sustainable option that emphasizes animal welfare, soil health, and natural cycles. By using organic feed and farming methods that support biodiversity, organic animal production enhances long-term environmental sustainability.

In short, Finland has plenty of space, water, and knowhow for sustainable animal production, and even for increasing it considerably.

Taste the quality on your plate

The Finnish food chain is short and transparent. Meat and eggs can be tracked back to the farm. According to the Global Food Security Index 2022, Finland is the leader in food security.

The vast majority of consumers buy their food in supermarkets. Farm shops and food networks are another opportunity. The Produce of Finland label marks food of Finnish origin. The Cotyledon label marks an extra or first-class product of Finnish horticulture. Organic produce is marked by the EU organic food label.

Great food brings joy to every day, supports health and connects friends and family. Finnish food is a safe and tasty alternative. Animal welfare, farmer knowhow, long-term effort and Northern conditions make up the taste of the result!

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Jussi Savander

EU Advisor - Animal Husbandry & Cooperatives, Brussels Office

+32 47 733 1958