Finnish animal production is salmonella free and antibiotic usage is very low. Welfare issues are considered at every step: feeding, housing, handling, and transport. Finnish farmers are not only producing high-quality food but also have the potential to increase their production sustainably.

 

The story of healthy animals

 

The finnish way to transport livestock

 

 Taste the quality on your plate 

Finnish farmers are committed to animal health and welfare 

Finnish farmers are committed to animal welfare. The national animal welfare programme and legislation, as well as voluntary schemes by milk and meat buyers support their commitment.   

The Finnish cow diet contains 55 % grass silage. They obtain protein from grass and rapeseed meal. Milk buyers and the government favour grazing. Cool climate is ideal for cows. Finnish 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 eat as they please.  
 

Finnish pigs, the curious family animals they are, 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.   

 

Finnish 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.  

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

 

Healthy animals 

Finnish animal products are salmonella free. Overall, Finland maintains an excellent record in animal health and 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. 

 

Finnish pigs keep their tails intact. This requires enough feeding space and minimising 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 Finnish 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 very low and has been decreasing year after year. 

The most important and powerful weapon in fighting antibiotic use is to ensure animal health and welfare.  

Healthy animals produce tasty quality meat and milk.  

 

Transport of livestock animals

Finland is the 5th largest country in the EU but with just 5.6 million inhabitants. Being able to produce food sustainably in every corner of the country is crucial for food security and regional equality. 

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. Finnish 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. 
 

Possibilities for sustainable farming 

Finnish farmers are 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: Finland produces 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 Finnish 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.  

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

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

 

Taste the quality 

Finnish food comes from nearby. The food chain is short and transparent. Finnish 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 foods 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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Brochure: Sustainable livestock farming in Finland. 

topics: sustainable livestock, livestock