You will be unable to obtain any agricultural subsidy, if the identification and registration of your animals has not been implemented in accordance with requirements. Even if your animals are pet or hobby animals and you would not be applying for agricultural subsidy, you need to adhere to the law.
If you keep animals, you must comply with the identification and registration requirements that apply to them. For example, you cannot receive animal subsidies if the markings and registrations of your animals do not meet the requirements. You must comply with the requirements, even if you keep animals hobby-like or short-term. Please note the requirements for different animal species.
Animal identification-page will provide you instructions on how to proceed when you are starting animal keeping.
Use the e-service to register as a livestock farmer and indicate the location where your animals are kept. Alternatively you can contact your local rural business authority. If there are any changes to the register information or you stop animal keeping activities, please update your register information.
In addition, you must register your animal and their event notifications and, in the case of porcine animals, also animal quantity notifications. Make sure that the animals are identified in accordance with the legislation, for example by ear tags or a microchip, depending on the animal species. Different animal species have their own regulations and guidelines regarding the identification and registration of animals.
If you operate a fish farm, you need to be registered in the aquaculture register (in Finnish).
If you establish a fish farm, you must apply for a health permit for the activities.
If your animal keeping is a reportable animal keeping activity in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act, please see: Animal keeping subject to notification.
If you are buying or selling bovines, pigs, sheep or goats, you will also need to register in the animal supplier register. Submit a registration notification to the Finnish Food Authority.
Notification of professional or large-scale animal keeping concerning pets and hobby animals
Services
Register of Animal Keepers and Establishments
E-service forms
Notification of operations subject to notification under the Animal Welfare Act
Termination of operations subject to notification under the Animal Welfare Act
Follow-up to notifications submitted using e-services forms:
Responding to a request for additional information or responding to other contact from the Finnish Food Authority (It is not possible to use this form to initiate new official matters.)
Contact
Veterinary Service Regional Sections
Links to legal texts