In 2018, planned sampling-based animal welfare inspections were ordered to be carried out on 434 farms with production animals which is a little more than in 2017. Fur farms were the main emphasis of the inspections. A total of 376 farms were inspected, and there were animals on 347 of these at the moment of inspection. Non-compliance with the animal welfare regulations was reported on 18 per cent of the farms, which is at the same level as in the previous year. The inspection results showed distinct differences depending on the species.
Cattle
Inspections were carried out on a total of 209 cattle farms. Violations were discovered on 11 per cent of the farms, which is less than in 2017 (15 %). Out of all the violations on cattle farms, 44 % involved calves (32 % in 2017). The most common violations concerning the care of calves have remained the same from year to year and involved mainly the requirements for space, cleanliness and safety on the holding. In 2018, no single violation stood out. Even in older cattle (over six months of age), no particular violations stood out unlike in previous years. On 2 % of the inspected farms the cattle did not have clean and dry bedding (5 % in 2017). Inadequate hoof care was discovered on 1.4 % of the farms (4 % in 2016). On five farms the requirement for cows and heifers that were kept tied up to have access to pasture or an exercise yard was neglected. Most of the violations observed with both calves and adult cattle were directly related to factors that affected the welfare of the animals, as the share of deficient recordkeeping was 3 % of all violations.
Pigs
A total of 22 pig farms were inspected.
Non-compliance with the animal welfare regulations was discovered on 27 per cent of the inspected farms, which is more than the year before (15 %). The number of violations per farm had decreased from the previous year (from 5 to 2.7).
Most of the violations were related to the cleanliness of the premises. In addition, a lack of enrichment materials was discovered on four farms and three farms lacked nest building materials for the sows. Deficiencies in the recordkeeping which have been common for many years were detected on two farms, and two farms lacked the competence necessary for the inseminator on the farm.
Laying hens and broilers
Deficiencies were also found on one farm with laying hens. In the previous year, no breaches were found on the inspected farm. As to the broiler farms (4 farms), breaches were found on one farm.
Fur animals
A total of 89 fur farms were inspected and deficiencies were found on 37 % of these. This is clearly more than in 2017 (23 %). The breaches were on average 2.3 per farm, which is less than the previous year (3.2). The most common deficiencies observed were directly related to the requirements for animal welfare. With respect to the correct killing of fur animals, violations were observed on 11 farms. There were defects in the plastic coating on the bottom mesh of the cages on 12 farms. On ten farms there was no suitable chewing and enrichment material. On eight farms there was no litter material or sufficiently large nesting boxes for the minks and ferrets. Sick and injured fur animals had not received appropriate care on four farms. On eight farms breaches were observed that related to the fencing of the farm or the prevention of the animals from escaping in other ways.
Sheep and goats
On the sheep farms (21 farms) the share of violations dropped compared to the previous year (8 %) and violations were not reported on any of the farms. No violations were noted on the one goat farm that was inspected.