Animal Diseases and Animal Welfare in Finland in 1998
Ministry of Agriculture and Foterestry 1999
[suomeksi]
2. International Office of Epizootics (OIE) List A diseasesThe Veterinary and Food Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the supreme authority responsible for preventing and monitoring animal diseases. Duties related to the implementation of legislation are performed by provincial veterinarians in provinces and by municipal veterinarians and inspection veterinarians locally. Border inspection veterinarians are responsible for animal disease prevention in connection with veterinary border inspection. The National Veterinary and Food Research Institute (EELA) performs research related to the implementation of legislation.
If the owner or keeper of an animal, or a veterinarian other than the municipal veterinarian, suspects that an animal disease notifiable according to animal disease legislation exists on the farm, he or she reports this to the municipal veterinarian or, if the municipal veterinarian cannot be reached, to the provincial veterinarian. The provincial veterinarian in turn reports the suspected outbreak to a veterinarian at the Veterinary and Food Department.
3. OIE List B diseases and other diseases to be officially controlledThere were no outbreaks of any List A diseases in Finland in 1998. The last outbreak of such a disease in Finland happened in 1996, when Newcastle disease was found in farmed wild birds. Poultry was found to be free of Newcastle disease, and the outbreak did not affect the non-vaccinating status of Finland as regards Newcastle disease, granted to Finland by the EU during accession negotiations. (Commission Decision 94/963/EC, 28.12.94). Non-vaccinating status can only be maintained if annual serological checks for antibodies against Newcastle disease are performed at all poultry breeding farms. Such follow-up checks have been made in Finland since 1993. In 1998, altogether 5,386 individual blood samples from 82 farms were examined; they were all negative.
The previous outbreak of a List A disease in Finland occurred in 1971, and then too it was Newcastle disease. Outbreaks of OIE List A diseases in Finland are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Outbreaks of OIE List A diseases in Finland.
OIE code Name of List A disease Last recorded A010 Foot and mouth disease 1959 A020 Vesicular stomatitis Never A030 Swine vesicular disease Never A040 Rinderpest 1877 A050 Peste des petits ruminants Never A060 Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia 1920 A070 Lumpy skin disease Never A080 Rift Valley fever Never A090 Bluetongue Never A100 Sheep pox and goat pox Never A110 African horse sickness Never A120 African swine fever Never A130 Swine fever 1917 A150 Highly pathogenic avian influenza Never A160 Newcastle disease 1996 The year of outbreak is the year when there last was an outbreak of the disease in Finland.
Part II: Animal welfareMost of the List B diseases do not exist in Finland and, with a few exceptions, outbreaks of those diseases that do exist in Finland are rare.
3.1. Multiple species diseasesTable 2. Outbreaks of OIE List B multiple species diseases in Finland.
OIE code Name of disease Last recorded B051 Anthrax 1988 B052 Aujeszky’s disease Never B053 Echinococcosis 1998 B055 Heartwater Never B056 Leptospirosis 1998 B057 Q Fever Never B058 Rabies 1989 B059 Paratuberculosis 1998 B060 Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) Never The year of outbreak is the year when there last was an outbreak of the disease in Finland.
Anthrax
One bovine cattle in 1988.
Aujeszky’s disease
Based on its freedom from the disease, Finland has been granted additional guarantees relating to Aujeszky's disease under Commission Decision 94/961/EC of 28.12.1994. In 1998, the blood samples of 9,838 pigs from 4,905 farms were examined; all samples were negative.
Echinococcosis
Ten reindeer were found to be infected with Echinococcus granulosus.
Leptospirosis
There have been no outbreaks of clinical leptospirosis. A few positive animals were found in 1998 (1 bovine and 47 swine).
Rabies
There were no outbreaks of rabies in 1998. The brains of 512 animals were examined for rabies during 1998.
The last case of rabies in Finland dates back to 16 February 1989. Finland was declared free of rabies in the end of February 1991, two years after the last outbreak of the disease.
In order to prevent a new outbreak of rabies, the annual vaccination of wild animals was continued in autumn 1998. A total of 80,000 rabies vaccine baits were dropped in a 20-30 kilometre wide and 250 kilometre long band along Finland’s Southeast border. The vaccination programme was started in 1988. The vaccination of hunting dogs remains obligatory, and owners are recommended to vaccinate also other dogs and cats. A valid rabies vaccination certificate is required when importing to Finland dogs and cats aged over three months, with the exception of animals imported from rabies-free countries.
Paratuberculosis
Paratuberculosis was found in imported bovine in 1993. This was the first outbreak of the disease in Finland since 1920. The outbreak led to annual serological survey, where a few individual antibody-positive samples have been found. The checks have concerned imported beef cattle in particular. Clinical paratuberculosis was last found in 1997 in two animals belonging to the same beef cattle. In Finland there have never been cases of paratuberculosis in other ruminants.
A project for the survey of paratuberculosis in dairy cattle was launched in autumn 1998. The objective is to find voluntary participants among cattle from which animals are sold to breeding stations for A.I. bulls.
3.2. Cattle diseasesOIE List B diseases
Table 3. Outbreaks of OIE List B cattle diseases in Finland
OIE code Name of disease Last recorded B101 Anaplasmosis Never B102 Babesiosis 1998 B103 Brucellosis (Brucella abortus) 1960 B104 Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (vibriosis) Never B105 Bovine tuberculosis 1982 B106 Cysticercosis 1996 B107 Dermatophilosis Never B108 Enzootic bovine leukosis 1996 B109 Haemorrhagic septicaemia Never B110 IBR/IPV 1994 B111 Theileriosis Never B112 Trichomonosis 1952 B113 Trypanosomosis Never B114 Malignant catarrhal fever 1997 B115 BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) Never The year of outbreak is the year when there last was an outbreak of the disease in Finland.
Babesiosis
A total of 66 cases of babesiosis were found in 1998.
Brucellosis (Brucella abortus)
The prevention of brucellosis started in Finland already in the 1920s. Based on Finland’s disease-free status, the bovine herds in Finland have been granted official brucellosis free status (Commission Decision 94/960/EC of 28.12. 1994). This status can be maintained only by investigating all suspected cases of brucellosis and by continuously screening the situation.
Dairy cattle have been annually screened since 1990 (Table 4) and meat cattle by sampling since 1994 (Table 5). A.I. bulls and their herds of origin are also examined, as are any cases of brucellosis in bovine herds. In 1998, a total of 2,095 samples from bovine herds were examined; all samples were negative.
Bovine tuberculosis
The last case of bovine tuberculosis in Finland was recorded in one herd in 1982. Tuberculosis prevention started in Finland in the beginning of the century. A check made in connection with meat inspection is today the most important method of preventing tuberculosis.
Based on disease freedom, the bovine herds in Finland have been granted officially tuberculosis free status (Commission Decision 94/959/ EC of 28.12.1994).
A health control programme for the prevention of tuberculosis in deer was launched in 1997.
Cysticercosis
No cases of cysticercosis were found in 1998.
Enzootic bovine leukosis
The prevention of bovine leukosis was begun in the 1960s. In the end of 1996 Finland informed the European Commission that the country was free from leukosis according to Council Directive 64/432/EEC, with the exception of Aland. In 1997 Aland started assessing the leukosis situation with the objective of becoming leukosis-free. No cases of leukosis were found in Aland during 1997-1998.
The national leukosis survey started in 1990 was continued during 1998. Since 1991 all Finnish dairy herds have been annually screened for leucosis by means of bulk milk survey. (Table 4). Individual blood samples from beef cattle have been examined since 1993 (Table 5).
In connection with suspected cases of leukosis and artificial insemination activities, 4,616 blood and milk samples from bovine herds were examined in 1998 in addition to the abovementioned survey. No positive samples were found.
Table 4. Bulk milk survey at dairy farms in 1990-1998.
Year Number of cattle Positive cattle Leukosis IBR/IPV Brucellosis BVD 1990 9,879 4 5 0 - 1991 36,899 8 1 (1 0 - 1992 37,923 11 1 (1 0 0.80% (2 1993 34,115 4 1 (1 - 0.96% 1994 34,169 3 1 (1 0 0.99% 1995 32,588 1 0 0 (3 0.66% 1996 30,569 1 (4 0 0 (5 0.37% 1997 28,577 0 0 0 (6 0.42% 1998 26,934 0 0 0 (7 0.37% (8 1)
The same cattle that was subject to restrictive measures and slaughtered in summer 1994
2) 5,024 samples
3) 4,546 samples
4) The same herd as in 1995
5) 3,773 samples
6) 2,944 samples
7) 2,760 samples
8) 99 farms, 8 of which were positive for the first timeIn 1990-1998 bulk milk samples from dairy herds were collected via dairies. One annual sample was taken from each herd. In practice, the survey covered all Finnish dairy herds in 1991-1998. A dash means that no check was made of the said disease.
Table 5. Blood samples from meat cattle in 1993-1998.
Year Number of samples Number of positive samples Leukosis IBR/IPV Brucellosis BVD 1993 3,248 0 0 - 54 (1 1994 12,764 0 0 0 64 (1 1995 3,640 0 0 0 40 1996 2,839 0 0 0 (2 24 1997 2,845 0 0 0 (3 18 1998 2,758 0 0 0 (4 21 1)
1-2 positive samples in most cattle
2) 276 samples
3) 644 samples
4) 368 samplesSince 1995 most samples have been taken at slaughterhouses.
A dash means that no check was made of the said disease.
IBR/IPV (Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/
infectious pustular vulvovaginitis)
Based on disease freedom, Finland has been granted additional guarantees relating to IBR/IPV (Commission Decision 94/962/EC of 28.12.1994).
The first case of the disease was found in 1990 in a random sample survey of dairy herds. Altogether 6 cattle were found to be infected. The last positive cattle was slaughtered in summer 1994.
Annual survey checks have been performed on dairy cattle since 1990 (Table 4). Individual blood samples from beef cattle have been examined since 1993 (Table 5). In connection with the health control programme for I.A. bulls, a total of 2,125 milk and blood samples were examined in addition to the abovementioned survey. All samples were seronegative.
Malignant catarrhal fever
There have been individual cases of malignant catarrhal fever caused by the herpes virus in Finland. Two cases were found in 1998.
BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy)
No cases of BSE have ever been found in Finland. In the end of 1997 Finland applied to the European Commission for BSE-free status. Finland sent a new, supplemented, application to the Commission on 8 June 1998.
The import of live bovines from Great Britain to Finland was banned in autumn 1988. Prior to the ban, 84 meat cattle animals had been brought from Great Britain in the 1980s. The animals were traced in 1990, and veterinarians were asked to be on the alert for BSE. In 1998 two of the bovines imported from Great Britain were still alive. Since 1980 bovine embryos have been imported from Great Britain only once, in 1985. No bovine sperm has been imported from Great Britain since 1980.
In 1996 the Veterinary and Food Department decided with respect to the remaining bovines imported from Great Britain that if the owner wants to get rid of his/her animal, the animal will be killed at public expense and its brains examined for BSE. The carcass will then be destroyed to prevent it from being used for human or animal consumption. In 1997 the Veterinary and Food Department ordered information to be gathered on the number of offspring of the animals imported from Great Britain prior to the end of 1988 and on their location.
The use of imported meat-and-bone meal as fodder for ruminants was banned in 1990. Likewise, the feeding of ruminants with food rests containing meat was banned in 1994. In 1995, the feeding of ruminants with mammal-meat-and-bone meal of Finnish origin was also banned.
A new decision on the prevention of BSE entered into force in Finland in 1998. The decision contains detailed provisions on measures to be taken if an outbreak of BSE is suspected or found on a farm. The decision also prescribes follow-up checks for BSE at farms and slaughterhouses. In 1998 the National Veterinary and Food Administration examined 78 animals for BSE, and the results were negative. The State compensates the value of an animal that has been ordered to be killed and examined because it is suspected to have BSE.
Other cattle diseases
Bovine salmonelloses
In 1998 restrictive measures were imposed on altogether 82 bovine herds as a result of salmonellosis. The strains existing on the salmonella-positive cattle farms represented 14 different serotypes, the most common being S. Infantis and S. Typhimurium. At year-end, 69 bovine herds were subject to restrictive measures as a result of salmonellosis.
BVD
The voluntary programme for the prevention of BVD in Finland, launched in 1994, was continued during 1998. In the national bulk milk survey in 1998, 99 herds were found to have antibodies against the BVD virus, eight of which were positive for the first time. In 1998, animals secreting the virus were found in six herds, four of which had previously been BVD-free. Blood samples from 2,758 animals were examined during the BVD checks of meat cattle, and 21 were positive.
Neospora caninum
During 1998 about 40 herds where there had been abortions were examined for neospora. Antibodies to Neospora caninum were found in one herd, in several animals that had aborted during the past year.
3.3. Sheep and goat diseasesOIE List B diseases
Table 6. Outbreaks of OIE List B sheep and goat diseases in Finland.
OIE code Name of disease Last recorded B151 Ovine epididymitis (Brucella ovis) Never B152 Brucella melitensis Never B153 Caprine arthritis/encephalitis (CAEV) Never B154 Contagious agalactia Never B155 Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia Never B156 Enzootic abortion of ewes Never B157 Ovine pulmonary adenomatosis Never B158 Nairobi sheep disease Never B159 Salmonella Abortus Ovis Never B160 Scrapie Never B161 Maedi-Visna 1996 The year of outbreak is the year when there last was an outbreak of the disease in Finland.
Brucella melitensis
No cases of Brucella melitensis have ever been found in Finland. Based on its disease-free situation, Finland was accorded the status of a Member State officially free of the disease (Commission Decision 94/965/EC of 28.12. 1994) (see Table 7).
Ovine Maedi-Visna and CAE
The first outbreak of Maedi-Visna in Finland was found in 1981 in imported sheep that had gone into quarantine. Positive samples have been found at altogether 14 different farms in Finland. There have never been any cases of CAEV.
The first extensive serological survey for Maedi-Visna and CAEV was conducted in 1994 (Table 7). In this connection a voluntary programme for the prevention of Maedi-Visna was launched.
Table 7. Blood samples from sheep and goat flocks in 1994-1998.
Year Number of sheep floks Number of goat floks Total number of samples No. of positive farms/ No. of positive samples Maedi-Visna CAEV B. melitensis 1994 545 73 13,708 8/46 0/0 0/0 1995 431 42 10,465 4/12 0/0 0/0 1) 1996 507 78 14,932 1/8 0/0 0/0 2) 1997 430 62 14,436 0/0 0/0 0/0 3) 1998 340 64 11,431 0/0 0/0 0/0 4) The samples have been taken from animals aged over one year.
1) 5,958 samples from 317 sheep flocks and 52 samples from 23 goat flocks
2) 6,000 samples from 222 sheep flocks and 814 samples from 78 goat flocks
3) 3,521 samples from 345 sheep flocks and 341 samples from 62 goat flocks
4) 10,757 samples from 340 sheep flocks and 619 samples from 63 goat flocksScrapie
No cases of scrapie have ever been found in Finland. Since 1995, survey for scrapie have been made on offals. Under a decision on the prevention of scrapie that was issued by the Veterinary and Food Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and entered
into force in 1997, all flocks of more than 40 ewes and/or she-goats must participate in a farm-specific scrapie control programme. The municipal veterinarian inspects annually the farms participating in the programme, in addition to which the farms send regularly heads of lambs or goats aged over two years to be examined for the existence of scrapie. The decision further stipulates that all Finnish farms must report on lambs or goats aged over two years that manifest symptoms affecting the central nervous system. The heads of such animals that do not recover from their illness are also sent to be examined for the existence of scrapie.
In autumn 1997 Finland applied from the EU for scrapie-free status. The application made reference especially to the following:
- There have never been any cases of scrapie in Finland,
- Finland has a strict import policy, which allows the import of sheep and goats only from scrapie-free countries, and
- a national scrapie survey and a farm-specific control programme are underway in Finland, and in this connection sheep farmers have been widely informed of the symptoms of scrapie.
Finland sent a new, supplemented, application to the Commission on 8 June 1998.
Table 8. The number of samples examined for scrapie in 1995-1998.
Year Number of samples 1995 345 1996 740 1997 406 1998 558 1) All samples were negative.
1) The figure includes the 68 heads from 30 different farms, as well as two goats, examined as part of the farm-specific scrapie control programme.
Other sheep diseases
Sheep salmonelloses in 1998
During 1998 salmonelloses were found at only two sheep farms.
3.4. Equine diseasesOIE List B diseases
Table 9. Outbreaks of OIE List B equine diseases in Finland.
OIE code Name of disease Last recorded B201 Contagious equine metritis (CEM) 1993 B202 Dourine Never B203 Epizootic lymphangitis Never B204 Equine encephalomyelitis Never B205 Equine infectious anaemia 1943 B206 Equine influenza (type A) 1998 B207 Equine piroplasmosis 1998 (imported horse) B208 Equine rhinopneumonitis/ viral abortion 1998 B209 Glanders 1943 B210 Horse pox Never B211 Equine viral arteritis 1998 B212 Japanese encephalitis Never B213 Horse scab 1945 B215 Surra (Trypanosoma evansi) Never B216 Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis Never The year of outbreak is the year when there last was an outbreak of the disease in Finland.
Contagious equine metritis (CEM)
A case of contagious equine metritis was found in one imported mare in 1993. All stallions kept for breeding must annually be examined for Taylorella equigenitalis prior to the breeding period. An exception are Finnish horse stallions, which must be examined in connection with the repeat examinations qualifying for breeding. During 1998, 220 stallions kept for breeding were examined; all results were negative.
Horse influenza
During 1998 there was a major outbreak of symptoms indicating horse influenza. The virus was found in two nasal smear samples. As it was not possible to isolate the virus from the sample, the virus type could not be identified in any detail. Antibodies resulting from vaccination or infection were found in about 50% of the serum samples examined for influenza antibodies. Horses participating in national and international horse races must be vaccinated. This is not the case for trotters.
Equine rhinopneumonitis/viral abortion
Herpes virus infections of horses are common in Finland. The herpes virus was isolated in three aborted horse foetuses in 1998. Antibodies existed in 39% of the diagnostic serum samples in 1998. Symptoms in individual clinical cases have included abortions, respiratory symptoms and symptoms of the nervous system.
Equine viral arteritis
In the 1990s antibodies against equine viral arteritis have been found in 20% of the horses examined. There have been no mass abortions in Finland. In 1998, 322 samples were examined serologically for equine viral arteritis, 61 of which were positive.
Piroplasmosis
No cases of clinical piroplasmosis have been diagnosed in Finland. Antibodies have been found in the serum samples of individual imported horses; one such sample was found in 1998.
Other equine diseases
51 cases of strangles, a bacterial infection, were found during 1998.
3.5. Swine diseasesOIE List B diseases
Table 10. Outbreaks of OIE List B swine diseases in Finland.
OIE code Name of disease Last recorded B251 Atrophic rhinitis of swine 1997 B252 Porcine cysticercosis (Cysticercus cellulosae) Never B253 Porcine brucellosis (Brucella suis) Never B254 TGE (transmissible gastroenteritis) 1981 B255 Trichinellosis 1998 B256 Enterovirus encephalomyelitis Never B257 PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome) Never The year of outbreak is the year when there last was an outbreak of the disease in Finland.
Atrophic rhinitis of swine
In 1998 there were no patho-anatomically or bacteriologically confirmed cases of atrophic rhinitis of swine.
TGE (transmissible gastroenteritis) and
PRCV (porcine respiratory corona virus)Since 1981, when two cases of TGE of foreign origin were found in Finland, there have been no other outbreaks of the disease. Based on its disease-free situation, Finland has been granted additional guarantees relating to TGE (Decision 68/94/COL of 27.6.1994 by EFTA’s Supervisory Authority). Additional guarantees have also been applied for from the EU.
In 1992 an annual survey was launched to collect random blood samples from breeding sows, breeding boars and fattened pigs at slaughterhouses. The number of samples is proportioned to the number of animals slaughtered at each slaughterhouse (Table 11). The samples examined for TGE in 1998 were negative also with respect to PRCV (porcine respiratory corona virus). No cases of PRCV have ever been found in Finland.
Trichinellosis
With respect to pigs, horses and meat-eating game animals (bears, wild boars, etc.), meat inspection always includes a laboratory examination for trichinellae. If trichinellae are found, the entire carcass is destroyed. In the 1980s and 1990s, trichinellae have been found at 0-20 farms annually in connection with meat inspections. In 1998, trichinellae were found in domestic pigs at four different farms. No trichinellae were found in horses. In 1998, four bears and five farmed wild boars were found to be infected with trichinellae.
PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome)
A PRRS examination belongs to the voluntary health control programme for pig farms. On the basis of a suspected case of PRRS, 94 blood samples and five virus isolation samples were tested. All tested samples (a total of 2,692) were negative.
Other swine diseases
Swine salmonelloses
In 1998 there were no outbreaks of salmonellosis in any piggeries.
Voluntary health control programmes for swine
The programme must be implemented at piggeries that send test groups to test stations. The voluntary health control programme for piggeries covers the following infections: enzootic pneumonia, atrophic rhinitis of swine, dysentery Actinobacillus pleuroneumoniae infection, Clostridium perfringens type C infection, salmonella, porcine brucellosis and scab. Prior to participation in the programme, the piggery is examined for Aujeszky’s disease, SVD, PRRS, HEV, swine influenza, TGE/PRCV (porcine respiratory corona virus infection) and classical swine fever.
In relation to health control programmes, 2,913 samples from boar stations, breeding pig farms and wild boar farms (68 samples) were tested for Aujeszky’s disease and classical swine fever, 2,661 for TGE and SVD, 2,593 for PRRS and swine influenza and 4,281 for porcine brucellosis. The figures are presented in Table 11.
Table 11. Survey blood samples from sows, boars and fattened pigs in 1991-1998.
Year AD TGE Class. Swine fever Leptospirosis Swine influenza Brusellosis SVD PRRS 1991 661 - - - - - - - 1992 4,595 4,595 1,300 1,181 - - - - 1993 12,356 122,556 2,600 4,920 4,648 - - - 1994 15,723 15,723 4,102 - - 15,723 - - 1995 8,779 8,779 2,684 - - - 1,678 - 1996 9,061 8,951 2,643 - - 5,544 1) 2,163 2,376 1997 10,534 10,534 1,061 - - 9,370 2) 1,019 1,306 1998 12,499 12,751 2,913 1,036 3) 2,593 4,281 4) 2,661 2,593 The samples examined were negative.
In 1991-1997 all samples were taken at slaughterhouses. In 1998 blood samples from slaughterhouses were examined for Aujeszky’s diseases and TGE. The rest of the results are from samples taken in connection with health control programmes.
1) The samples taken in 1996 were examined for B.suis infection in 1997
3.6. Poultry diseases
2) 9,051 of the samples taken in 1997 were examined for B.suis infection in 1998
3) 47 positive results
4) The follow-up samples taken in 1998 will be examined in 1999OIE List B diseases
Table 12. Outbreaks of OIE List B Poultry diseases in Finland.
OIE code Name of disease Last recorded B301 Avian infectious bronchitis (IB) 1970s B302 Avian infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) 1978 B303 Avian tuberculosis 1995 (imported animals) B304 Duck virus hepatitis Never B305 Duck virus enteritis Never B306 Fowl cholera 1970s B307 Fowl pox Never B308 Fowl typhoid (S. Gallinarum) Never B309 Infectious bursal disease(Gumboro disease) 1998 B310 Marek’s diseases 1998 B311 Avian mycoplasmosis (M. gallisepticum) 1988 B312 Psittacosis and ornithosis Never B313 Pullorum disease 1961 The year of outbreak is the year when there last was an outbreak of the disease in Finland.
Avian tuberculosis
In 1995 Avian tuberculosis caused by M. avium intracellulare was found in three imported ostriches, which all belonged to the same batch.
Infectious bursal disease (Gumboro disease)
A few symptomless cases of Gumboro disease were found in 1998, but since 1993 there have been no outbreaks of clinical Gumboro disease. Most of the parent and grandparent flocks and part of the commercial flocks are vaccinated against Gumboro disease.
Marek’s disease
There were a few cases of Marek’s disease. It remains the principal infectious disease of egg laying hens in Finland. All commercial egg layers and most parent flocks are vaccinated against the disease.
Other avian diseases
TRT/SHS (Turkey rhinotracheitis / swollen head syndrome)
TRT/SHS has never been diagnosed in Finland, nor were any positive samples found during the serological follow-up inspection conducted during 1993-1998. In 1998 altogether 5,266 samples were examined, all of them negative.
Based on its disease-free status, Finland has been granted additional guarantees relating to ART (= TRT/SHS) under the EEA Treaty (Decision 195/94/COL of 30.11.1994 by EFTA’s Supervisory Authority). Additional guarantees have also been applied for from the EU.
Poultry salmonelloses
No salmonelloses were found in poultry breeding establishments in the egg laying sector in 1998. There was an outbreak of salmonella on one holding of commercial egg layers. The infection was caused by S. Typhimurium, phagotype 1.
During 1998, 20 broiler flocks were found to be infected with salmonella. The distribution of serotypes is shown in the table below.
No salmonelloses were found in turkeys at any turkey farm in 1998.
Table 13. Salmonella-positive broiler flocks by serotype in 1998.
S. Anatum 2 S. Infantis 15 S. Isangi 1 S. Montevideo 1 S. Thompson 1 Total 20 The general health status of poultry in Finland in 1998
The general health status of poultry in Finland is very good. The health status of poultry has been monitored since 1989, and it concerns especially farms engaged in chick production. Its objective is to monitor the efficiency of vaccination and the health status at the farms participating in the programme. As part of the health control programme, the presence of antibodies against Gumboro disease, avian encephalomyelitis (AE), Mycoplasma gallisepticum-, and Mycoplasma synoviae -infection, avian infectious bronchitis (IB), avian infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) and blue wing diseases (CAV) is examined. There have been no outbreaks of mycoplasmosis, avian infectious bronchitis (IB) or avian infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) in Finland.
As part of the health control programme for turkeys, the presence of antibodies against Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae and Mycoplasma meleagridis and against ART (=TRT) is examined.
3.7. Lagomorph diseasesTable 14. Outbreaks of OIE List B lagomorph diseases in Finland.
OIE code Name of disease Last recorded B351 Myksomatoosi Never B352 Myxomatosis 1998 B353 Viral haemorrhagic disease of rabbits Never The year of outbreak is the year when there last was an outbreak of the disease in Finland.
Tularemia
In recent years 10-20 cases of tularemia have been found annually in Finland. Altogether nine cases of tularemia were found in wild lagomorphs in 1998. There are no indications that the tularemia strain existing in Finland would have infected animals other than lagomorphs.
3.8. Fish diseasesOIE List B diseases
Table 15. Outbreaks of OIE List B fish diseases in Finland.
OIE code Name of disease Last recorded B401 Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) Never B404 Spring viraemia of carp (SVC) Never B405 Infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) Never B414 Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis (EHN) Never B415 Oncorhynchus masou virus disease (OMV) Never Infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) and
Viral haemorrhagic disease (VHS)IHN and VHS screening was continued from the beginning of 1998 as follows: all farms
with fish species susceptible to IHN or VHS (salmonids, pike) are inspected twice a year as previously and 30 fish/farm are sampled every other year. Natural feed ponds are inspected and sampled according to a separate programme by spot checks. The number of establishments and sampled is shown in Table 16.
Table 16. IPN/IHN/VHS survey studies of fish in 1998.
1998 Establishments investigated Hatcheries and juvenile producers 88 Farms producing fish for consumption 66 Hatcheries producing juveniles for natural feed ponds 20 Natural feed ponds 11 All results were negative.
Spring viraemia of carp (SVC)
Finland applied for additional guarantees relating to SVC from EC on 28.9.1998. In 1998 four cyprinid farms were examined for the presence of SVC. All results were negative.
Other fish diseases
Gyrodactylus salaris
Gyrodactylus salaris infection is being combated in Northern Lapland, in the watercourses of Tenojoki, Näätämöjoki, Paatsjoki, Luttojoki and Uutuanjoki in order to prevent the spread of the parasite into the wild salmon stock of the Arctic Ocean. This protected area in Northern Finland was added to the Commission Decision on protective measures in 1997 (Commission Decision 96/490/EC, amendment 98/24/EC).
The parasite is fairly common at rainbow trout and salmon farms elsewhere in Finland. Transfer of live fish from these other areas to the protected area is not allowed. In 1998, the parasite was found at eight fish farms in Northern Finland.
The wild fish in the waters flowing to the Arctic Ocean were examined for Gyrodactylus salaris in 1998 as follows (all samples were negative with respect to the salmon parasite):
Tenojoki catchment basin: 91 salmon parr Näätämöjoki catchment basin: 159 salmon parr (the examinations were done in Norway) Uutuanjoki catchment basin: no checks Paatsjoki catchment basin: 66 good natural indicators (lake trout, rainbow trout, arctic charr, grayling), 84 other fish from nature, 221 good indicators from fish farms (salmon, arctic charr, grayling) Luttojoki water catchment area: 34 graylings Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN)
On 16 December 1998, Finland applied for additional guarantees relating to IPN. The application concerns the import of live fish, fish eggs and roe, and also of live crayfish, as crayfish have been found to carry and secrete the IPN virus. The last case of IPN was found in inland water areas in 1992. It is forbidden to transfer live fish from coastal areas to inland water areas, and fish eggs can be transferred only after the brood fish have been examined for the presence of IPN with negative results.
The survey for IPN is done from the same samples as the IHN/VHS examinations. Two cases were found in 1998: one on the coast, at a farm producing fish for consumption, and the other at juvenile producing farm in Ostrobothnia.
Bacterial kidney disease (BKD)
On 6 October 1998, Finland applied for additional guarantees relating to BKD. The first case of BKD in Finland was found in 1989, when it was isolated at an Aland fish farm producing fish for slaughter in Åland. Since then, there have been annual outbreaks of the disease at 1-2 farms in Åland. The transfer of live fish and fish eggs from Aland to the mainland has been forbidden since 1989. In 1994 BKD was found for the first time outside Åland. A survey for BKD was started at salmonid farms in 1995. No new cases were found in that year. The first outbreak of BKD in inland waters occurred in 1997.
The survey programme includes the annual bacteriological examination of samples at brood stock farms and the visual inspection of the kidneys of fish at other farms. A clinical inspection is carried out at farms that only rear fish aged 0-1 year. As of the beginning of 1999, the follow-up programme will also concern the Province of Åland.
In 1998 a total of 6,645 fish from 82 fish farms were examined bacteriologically. In the same year, BKD was found on the south coast of Finland, at a farm producing fish for slaughter, and at a fish farm in Northern Finland.
Furunculosis of salmonids
On 16 December 1998 Finland applied for additional guarantees relating to furunculosis for part of the country. In 1998 furunculosis was found at two fish farms located in protected areas. The disease was found at 13 fish farms elsewhere in Finland.
Piscirickettsia salmonis infection
Piscirickettsia infection has never been found in Finland.
Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA)
Infectious salmon anaemia has never been found in Finland.
Other diseases of farmed fish in Finland in 1998
The National Veterinary and Food Research Institute found vibriosis at ten farms. It has
become increasingly common to vaccinate fish with an efficient combination vaccine against furunculosis and vibriosis.
3.9. Fur animal diseasesIn 1998 the National Veterinary and Food Research Institute inspected nearly 200 furbearers and their organ samples. Most of the samples were taken from blue foxes and minks. A few raccoon dogs, silver foxes and sables were examined as well. Distemper, fox encephalitis, mink virus enteritis, minks’ haemorrhaging pneumonia and fox mange were not encountered in any fur animal.
Infectious diseases have been kept well under control at fur farms. The last outbreak of distem-per among fur animals occurred in Finland in 1992-1993. In those years distemper was also fairly common among dogs. The last case of clinical mink virus enteritis (MVE) was found in 1988. Nearly all mink kits are vaccinated against MVE. Elevated levels of antibodies against the parvovirus are still occasionally found, which means that the virus is still present on farms.
An outbreak of fox encephalitis (HCC) last occurred in 1987. About 20% of all female breeding foxes are vaccinated against HCC.
Nowadays the principal infectious viral disease is plasmacytosis, which causes a chronic disease in mink. It is widespread at farms, and a renovation programme has been implemented to prevent the disease. About 30% of the animals kept for breeding live on plasmacytosis-free farms. Plasmacytosis is difficult to prevent because of the chronic nature of the disease, the fact that the virus thrives in the soil and the regional concentration of mink farms.
Parvovirus infection of raccoon dogs is common at raccoon dog farms. Every year the disease causes haemorrhagic diarrhea in pups at several farms, and the mortality is sometimes high. It is difficult to prevent because the virus continues to exist on farms and there is no vaccination against the parvovirus in raccoon dogs.
The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which causes haemorrhagic pneumonia in mink, is common in nature in some parts of the country. Fur farms in high-risk areas vaccinate mink against haemorrhagic pneumonia, so the disease is rare in Finland. However, uteritis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common problem among blue foxes during breeding season.
Nearly all mink kits are vaccinated against botulin feed poisoning. Therefore botulism among mink and polecats is rare, although there are occasional deaths of individual animals at farms.
3.10. Bee diseasesOIE List B diseases
Table 17. Inspections for OIE List B bee diseases carried out in Finland in 1998.
OIE code Name of disease Number of samples examined Number of positive samples B451 Acariosis of bees* 619 35 B452 American foulbrood 852 282 B453 European foulbrood 36 13 B454 Nosemosis of bees 69 17 B455 Varroosis 76 22 *The examinations for acariosis of bees were carried out at the Agricultural Research Centre
American foulbrood
American foulbrood caused by the Paenibacillus larvae bacterium is common in Finland. It is a notifiable disease according to legislation in Finland. In the end of 1998 there were 18 areas, and 22 apiaries, subject to a prohibition order.
Acariosis
Acariosis of bees, a parasitic disease caused by an internal parasite, the Acarapis woodi mite, living in the tracheae of adult bees was first found in Finland in 1991. In 1998, altogether 480 samples sent from Southern and Central Finland were examined for Acarapis, and 35 samples, or 7.3%, were positive. In addition 139 samples sent by apiaries in the Oulu region in northern Finland were examined; all results were negative.
Varroosis
The Varroa jacobsoni mite, an external parasite, was found for the first time in Finland in 1980. Slowly but surely it has spread from Southeast Finland to Southwest Finland and
to the southern parts of the Province of Lapland in the north.
Other bee diseases
Other fairly common bee diseases in Finland are European foulbrood caused by the Melissococcus pluton bacterium, chalk brood caused by the Ascosphaera apis fungus and enteritis caused by the Nosema apis microsporidian in adult bees. Viral diseases have not been studied so far in Finland, where there have been no outbreaks of serious viral diseases.
4. Legislation on animal protectionThe welfare of an animal refers to its psychological, physical and social welfare. It is difficult to define simply the concept of welfare or to measure the state or degree of welfare. People assess an animal’s welfare according to the animal’s behaviour, the state of its health, various parameters that can be calculated for the animal, its productivity, and the quality and amount of the product harvested.
Much progress has been achieved in animal welfare throughout Europe. Scientific research on animal health and welfare has produced a great deal of new information on the prerequisites of welfare and on an animal’s essential basic needs. There has also been a change in citizen’s views on animal’s well-being, an animal’s value and on the proper treatment and handling of an animal. As living standards have risen and human well-being increased, there have been demands to improve animals’ quality of life
as well. Although man uses animals for food, clothing and other purposes, he has a moral obligation to respect all animals and satisfy the basic needs of the animals in his keeping.
Table 18. The number of domestic animals in Finland on 1.12.1998.
Species Number Bovine cattle 1,100,600 - incl. dairy cattle 380,300 Swine 1,540,700 Sheep 96,000 Goats 6,600 Chickens kept for egg production 4,767,500 - incl. hens aged over 5 months 3,569,700 Horses 56,100 Reindeer 189,736 Fur animals (kept for breeding) 933,000
Legislation on animal protection sets out the minimum requirements for the places where animals are kept, breeding and rearing conditions, care and treatment. Law prescribes general principles for the humane treatment of animals and minimum requirements for activities involving animals. Nowadays legislation on animal protection no longer aims solely at preventing suffering and cruel treatment, but also at promoting animal health, satisfaction and general welfare.
Requirements concerning animal welfare are laid down in the Act on Animal Protection (247/1996, amend. 1194/1996 and 594/1998), Statute on Animal Protection (396/1996, amend. 402/1998), Statute on the Transport of Animals (491/1996, amend. 1398/1997 and 955/1998) and Statute on Animal Experimentation (1076/1985, amend. 395/1996). More detailed provisions on requirements for the keeping, care, treatment and handling of animals have been laid down in several Decisions issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The Decisions concern the keeping of different animal species and activities and measures involving animals.
Finland is party to all five conventions of the Council of Europe on animal protection. Finland signed the European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport already in 1975 and the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes in 1990. In 1992 Finland became party to the European Conventions on the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes, on the Protection of Pet Animals and on the Protection of Animals for Slaughter.
The objective of the Finnish Act on Animal Protection is to protect animals from suffering, pain and distress in the best manner possible and to promote the welfare and good treatment of animals. The Act concerns all animals, both wild animals and animals kept by humans, such as pets, domestic animals and farmed animals. Acts, statutes and ministerial decisions lay down the conditions necessary to protect animals from suffering that can be avoided or prevented. The most important principle in animal care is good treatment and the prevention of unnecessary suffering, pain and distress. In animal keeping, attention must be paid to maintaining the animal’s health and to its physiological and behavioural needs.
While legislation prescribes principles, the animal carer is responsible for the animal’s well-being in practice. He or she is its "next of kin". The animal’s welfare depends directly on its carer’s expertise, professional skills and work motivation.
4.1. The place where animals are keptThe place where an animal is kept is its home: a familiar and safe haven. It must be sufficiently large, sheltered, well-lit, clean, safe and appropriate in every respect. The place of keeping must not cause harm to an animal or endanger its health. It must be roomy enough to permit the animal to move about, stand and lie down in its natural position. It must be designed so as to permit convenient care and inspection of the animal. The animal must be sufficiently protected against inclement weather, excessive cold, heat and dampness. Conditions in the place of keeping must be such that they allow the animal to remain healthy and in a good state of well-being. The place of keeping must be sufficiently ventilated to prevent dust, draft, noxious gases and excessive dampness from undermining the animal’s health or welfare. The animal’s immediate surroundings must permit it to satisfy its most important behavioural and physiological needs.
Efforts are made to design new places of keeping that permit greater freedom of movement, for example that are equipped with yards. Scientific studies and extensive experience both testify to the importance of exercise in an animal’s health welfare. Fresh air and exercise improve mental and physical well-being and improve an animal’s resistance to infections, thereby decreasing morbidity.
4.2. The care and treatment of animalsAn animal that depends on the care of humans must not be abandoned. Animals must never be treated or handled roughly or violently, but always in a calm and reasonable way. They must not be frightened or excited without reason. Their natural patterns of behaviour, for example their herd instinct, must be taken advantage of. A relationship of mutual trust should exist between the animal and its carer. It should be remembered that animals, too, need peace and sufficient rest. Their welfare and living conditions should be inspected often enough. Sick and weak animals and animals about to give birth need special care from their keeper. A sick or injured animal must receive adequate care without delay and if necessary it must be isolated from the other animals to ensure sufficient rest and peace.
An adequate supply of nourishment and drink suitable to the animal is essential to its welfare and health. The feed must be of good quality and composed so that it can be easily consumed by the animal. The feed must contain all the necessary nutrients in correct proportions. It must not contain poisonous or hazardous substances or other impurities that may have ill effects on the animal’s welfare and health. Each animal’s needs must be taken into account, and each animal must receive enough nourishment. If an animal is weaker or timider than the others in a bigger herd, it risks remaining without its portion of feed unless the animal carer prevents the stronger animals from dominating the feeding area.
In addition to food and drink, animals need other care, such as washing and grooming. Animals should also be stimulated and offered opportunities to be active. Domestic animals usually obtain their food without much effort and in a compact form, and so they have plenty of spare time. Recently efforts have been made to arrange interesting activities for animals.
4.3. Animal breeding and gene technology
According to legislation, animal breeding must have regard to the animals’ welfare and health. It prohibits animal breeding and breeding methods that may cause suffering or seriously impair an animal’s health or welfare.
The Act on Animal Protection prohibits the use of gene technology to alter the quantity or quality of animal production if it detrimentally affects the animals’ health or welfare. An animal’s genotype can be altered with gene technology, but there is not much experience or research information on the effect of this method on farm animals’ welfare.
4.4. Influencing performance or productivity
The Act on Animal Protection prohibits animal doping, in other words, the use of drugs or similar substances or preparations to artificially lift, lower or maintain an animal’s performance. Artificially improving an animal’s productivity with drugs or similar substances or preparations is likewise prohibited by the Act, unless it can be proved that these products do not harm animals’ health or welfare. Special substances cannot be used to increase animals’ productivity, unless it has been proven in scientific studies or by extensive established experience that these substances are harmless to animals. An animal may neither be fattened nor may its productivity be increased by force-feeding.
If there is any reason to suspect that special substances or preparations have been used to boost an animal’s performance, the animal welfare authority has a right to inspect the place where the animal is kept and take necessary samples. Associations arranging animal competitions routinely takes samples from animals to make sure that an animal’s performance is not being enhanced by dishonest means. The practice of taking samples and controlling doping by random selection is especially common in trotting-races.
4.5. Animal sheltersThe Act on Animal Protection obligates municipalities to arrange temporary care for stray cats, dogs and other small pets found within municipal boundaries until the animal’s owner or keeper claims the impounded pet. Already prior to the new Act on Animal Protection that entered into force in 1996, many municipalities had established animal shelters at their own initiative. Nowadays animal pounds are obligatory in every municipality. A municipality may establish a shelter jointly with other municipalities. There are over 80 shelters for stray animals in Finland.
An impounded animal is kept for a minimum of 15 days, after which the municipality has a right to sell, give away or put down an unclaimed animal. Most stray animals are returned to their owner, but others find a new home and owner through the municipal pound.
A municipality has a right to charge the owner for the impounding of the animal, the care it was given at the shelter or the cost of putting it down, should this be necessary.
4.6. Animal competitions, zoos and circuses
If an animal risks being exposed to pain, distress or excessive strain in a competition, the organiser must summon a veterinarian who will supervise compliance with the animal welfare legislation. The organiser is liable for the related costs. The veterinarian must forbid the participation of an animal in the competition, if he or she suspects that it will be used in a manner that violates the law. If the owner of the animal refuses to comply with the prohibition issued by the veterinarian, it is up to the organiser of the competition to prevent participation of the animal.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry may prohibit altogether animal competitions and similar events where pain, distress or excessive strain may be caused to animals.
Zoos, permanent and travelling animal shows, and circuses must obtain a permit from the provincial government before they can start operating. The provincial government may revoke a permit if the conditions laid down or the animal welfare legislation are not complied with.
There are over 60 zoos and animal shows in Finland, most of which are small exhibitions or enclosures. The biggest zoos are located in Helsinki (Korkeasaari Zoo), Ranua (Ranua Zoo), Ähtäri (Ähtäri Zoo), and Lieto (Zoolandia).
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has issued a decision on what animals can be used in circuses and similar exhibitions where animals are taught to perform tricks. In Finland it is illegal to use animals of prey, primates, elephants, ostriches or seals. On the other hand, domestic animals such as cats, dogs and horses, are allowed to perform to a public at circuses.
4.7. Animal nurseries and pet shops, horse stables and farmed game
The Act on Animal Protection lists a number of activities that must be notified to the provincial government before they are started. This applies to the professional or large-scale keeping of pets and hobby animals. Accordingly, pet shops, game farms, animal nurseries, horse stables and large kennels must notify the provincial government of their activities. After receiving the notification, the provincial government may prohibit the activities if they do not comply with legislative requirements.
There are over 350 large kennels and pet shops in Finland, and nearly 450 trotting and riding stables. Farms where ostriches, emus, wild boars or bisons are kept for production number over 50 and game farns nearly 60.
4.8. The transport of animalsTransport causes animals a great deal of stress, which is impossible to avoid because farm animals often have to be transferred from the farm where they were born to the farm where they will be reared and later to the slaughterhouse. Many animals travel around Europe to competitions, shows and for training. Other animals follow their masters on personal trips.
Carrying animals in commercial nature is subject to a licence in Finland. The licence is applied for from the provincial government.
A licence has been granted to 390 animal transport operators. Over 70% of them are so-called one-man firms, where operations are handled by one man with one vehicle. Means of animal transport are of good quality in Finland.
The welfare of animals during transport and in all related operations is protected by the Act on Animal Protection and by the Statute on the Transport of Animals. The animals must not be caused any unnecessary pain or distress during transport, loading or unloading. During transport they must be protected from injury and illness. An animal may not be transported if it is not fit for the intended journey and if no arrangements have been made to care for the animal during the trip and at the destination. A sick or injured animal may only be transported in exceptional cases. For example transporting an animal to the veterinarian is allowed under certain conditions.
As the quality of means of transport in Finland is good and the drivers are professionals, animals are guaranteed appropriate conditions during transport. Slaughter animals travel in vehicles that are well equipped and maintained, and they have an opportunity to rest during transport. Before granting a licence for the trans-port of animals, the provincial government checks that the drivers are well trained professionals who treat the animals properly.
4.9. Killing and slaughter of animals
An animal has to be killed quickly and painlessly. It may only be done by a person who has sufficient expertise. Killing methods suited to different animal species are prescribed in the Statute on Animal Protection and in more detail in the related ministerial decision.
Slaughter is an essential part of the production chain for food of animal origin. Slaughter and related measures are subject to the same general principles that apply to other treatment and handling of animals. An animal must not be caused unnecessary suffering, pain or distress while it is being slaughtered or kept in a slaughterhouse. Before bleeding the animal must be stunned quickly, efficiently and for a sufficiently long period of time. Bleeding must be started immediately after stunning. No other measures are to be performed on the animal before it is dead. In addition to meat inspection duties, the inspecting veterinarian sees to it that the slaughterhouse complies with the legislation.
4.10. Animal welfare authorities and supervision
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry directs, guides and generally supervises compliance with the animal welfare legislation. In provinces, compliance is supervised by provincial veterinarians working for provincial governments. Municipal veterinarians, health inspectors and the police act as the local animal welfare authorities. Inspecting veterinarians supervise compliance with the law at slaughterhouses and places of slaughter, and border veterinarians at border crossings, exit points and veterinary border control points. Police is mainly responsible for controlling animal transports on highways, but at slaughterhouses his responsibility is taken over by the inspecting veterinarian.
There are also a number of animal welfare inspectors whom the provincial government has entitled to make animal welfare inspections as referred to in law. However, these inspectors cannot perform official duties but have to contact the appropriate authority who will take the measures necessary to improve animal welfare. At present there are about 30 animal welfare inspectors.
Societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals have inspectors working as volunteers, but under legislation they do not have a right to make inspections.
If there is any reason to suspect that an animal is being cared for, treated, used or transported in violation of the animal welfare legislation, the animal welfare authority has a right to make an inspection. Inspections may also carried out without a suspected violation in places where operations are subject to a licence from or a notification to the provincial government as referred to in the Protection of Animals Act. Such places include zoos and animal shows, animal stores, nurseries for small animals, large kennels, circuses, game preserves, and trotting and riding stables. Likewise inspections may be conducted at animal competitions and similar events even in the absence of a suspected violation. This also applies to the inspection of animal transports by the police. Inspection veterinarians may inspect slaughterhouses and their surroundings even if there is no reason to suspect a violation. In 1998 veterinarians performed over 2000 animal welfare inspections.
The person carrying out the inspection must have access to all the places where animals are kept and the right to take any necessary samples. During the inspection the animals themselves are inspected, as well as the place where they are kept and the conditions there, including the animals’ feed and drink, and the equipment. The authority inspecting animal transports is naturally entitled to check also the means of transport.
4.11. Official measuresIf an animal welfare inspection reveals a violation of the animal welfare legislation, the authority shall forbid the owner or keeper of the animal to continue the illegal activities or order him or her to comply with the minimum requirements in law regarding an animal’s pen, conditions, care and treatment. The authority must also set a time limit for compliance with the decision. After the time limit has expired, a new inspection is carried out at the animal holding units to make sure that the decision given by the authority has been followed. If necessary, the provincial government can make the decision more effective by imposing a fine or threatening that otherwise the matter will be handled at the defaulter’s expense.
In connection with these inspections, authorities give advice to improve animals’ welfare. Counselling is used in cases where no Act on Animal Protection has been violated, but where slight defects have been found which can be removed by advising the animal carer on how to improve the animals’ environment, conditions and care.
If necessary, the inspector can take immediate measures to secure the animals’ welfare. The animals may be sent outside the farm to receive care, or a carer hired to look after their welfare on the farm. Feed or any other substance absolutely necessary for the animals’ welfare may be obtained. The authority also has a right to sell the animals, have them slaughtered or killed. In the case of a farm animal it is usually best to hire a substitute carer to the animal holding unit or send the animals to the slaughterhouse. Small animals are usually sent to a nursery or kennel for care. Animals that are in an extremely poor condition are usually killed.
4.12. Animal experimentsIn Finland the use of vertebrate animals for experimental and other scientific purposes is subject to a licence from the provincial government. There are 114 experimental establishments in Finland. The Statute on Animal Experimentation lays down detailed conditions for experimentation. It contains provisions on the supervision of animal experiments, the use, purchasing and keeping of animals, the competence of the persons performing the experiments and of the animal carers and the supervising authority’s right to interrupt an individual experiment or all animal experiments at the establishment.
Each animal experiment requires a permit. If the experiment only causes the animal slight pain or distress or pain or distress of short duration, the permit can be given by the committee set up at the institute. If the experiment may cause the animal a serious illness or substantial pain or distress, the permit is granted by the provincial government.
Experiments can be performed on animals by a doctor, a veterinarian or another person who holds a university degree and has attended a course on animal experiments and the use of animals for scientific purposes.
The institute must keep a list of all animal experiments performed and of the animals used classified by species. The statistics must be delivered every year to the provincial government and from there to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which compiles annual statistics of the animal experiments carried out in Finland and of the animals used. These statistics are sent every year to the secretary general of the Council of Europe and to the European Commission.
The provincial government is responsible for supervising animal experiments. Its representative has a right to be present at animal experiments and conduct necessary inspections and investigations concerning experimental animals, their keeping and care and documents on the experiments. Legislation empowers the provincial government to interfere if an establishment or even an individual animal experiment violates animal welfare acts.
Establishments
4.13. EU inspections
Animals used in experimentsEU inspections are carried out at animal units to supervise compliance with animal welfare directives. Animal transports are also inspected by conducting checks at loading and unloading places and on the road. The objective is to inspect 2% of all pig and calf units.
Inspections must be performed by a veterinarian. The farms to be inspected are chosen by random sampling from the register of farms. A municipal veterinarian is sent to conduct the inspection on the farm. Provincial veterinarians inspect animal transports vehicles on the road, while inspecting veterinarians conduct inspections at slaughterhouses.
A special NCR form has been designed to help the veterinarian to make the inspection run as smoothly as possible. The owner of the animals receives one copy of the filled-in inspection form. The provincial government gathers information on the inspections performed and on matters that have come up. The results are sent to the Ministry, which in turn reports the outcome to the European Commission.
In 1998, inspections were carried out at a total of 120 pig units and 600 calf units. About 200 animal transports were inspected. In most inspections the circumstances were in confirmity with the legislation Pigs and calves were kept according to the requirements of the Directives on nearly all the inspected farms. The transport vehicles inspected were in good condition. No major structural defects were detected. All animal transport operators were licensed for their operations.
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