Feeds and feed business operators

The Chemical Food Safety Unit of Finnish Food Authority carries out inspections of feedingstuffs concerning manufacturing, marketing and import from Member States and from third countries, as well as inspections of quality control systems of feed operators.

Control of feeds is based on Regulation (EC) No 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council on official controls activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and animal welfare. The Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council lays down the general principles governing food and feed safety at Community and national level.

Production, processing, use, storage and transport of raw materials of animal origin for feeds are regulated by Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 laying down health rules as regards animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption. Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down requirements for feed hygiene describes general rules on feed hygiene, conditions and arrangements ensuring traceability of feed and conditions and arrangements for registration and approval of establishments.

The Feed Act (No 1263/2020; amendments up to 18/2022 included) regulates manufacturing, transport, circulation, use, trade, storage and import and export of feeds in Finland. The Act on Veterinary Border Inspection (1192/1996) is applied for import of feed material of animal origin.

The Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on the Pursuit of Activities in the Feed Sector (1266/2020; amendments up to 71/2022 included) lays down the provisions on the notification, own-check, permit and record keeping obligation of feed business operators and on their approval. This Decree also lays down provisions on the labelling of feeds. 

The Department of Food and Health of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for legislation and general guidance of control.

Page last updated 6/28/2022