The Finnish Centre for Animal Welfare (EHK) has published the Animal Welfare in Finland III report also in English, offering a comprehensive update on the state of animal welfare in Finland. Previously published in parts on the elaintieto.fi website (2021-2023, in Finnish), this report builds upon its predecessors (published in 2012 and 2016), providing valuable…
Finland has joined other EU countries in implementing the mandatory identification and registration of dogs. The identification and registration are laid down in the updated decree (68/2022) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and it has prompted some attention in the Finnish media. This new obligation brings both benefits and efforts, but the mandatory…
Gene editing, which has grown fast in the field of genetic technology, raises ethical questions. Is gene editing any more legitimate than any other method previously used to edit animal genomes? The issue prompted consideration by Penny Hawkins, head of the Animals in Science section of the British Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty…
How are the animals in Finland doing? How do politics and regulations affect the welfare of animals? The report Animal Welfare in Finland III provides a current compilation of how animal welfare is linked to the entire society and nature.
You can tell from the pork you’re eating whether the pig lived a happy life, and hens have a great time in enriched cages. True or false? Does your perception of animal welfare match reality?
At the grocery store it can be difficult to decide what products to buy based on the welfare of the animals, as there are different ways of defining welfare for different species and production methods. Find out more and make an informed choice!
The Finnish Centre for Animal Welfare (EHK) is a network of animal welfare specialists, located in the Natural Resources Institute Finland. Our work, based on scientific research and knowledge, aims at improving and safeguarding the welfare of animals. The staff includes Satu Raussi and Tiina Kauppinen, who both work in close collaboration to the advisory board. EHK is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland.
EHK keeps track of scientific research on animal welfare, reports statistics and trends and communicates animal welfare issues in a popular manner. We work in close collaboration with Finnish animal welfare research groups (e.g. Research Centre for Animal Welfare, University of Helsinki). We also act as secretaries for the Finnish farm and hobby animal welfare councils and communicate their outcomes as well as monitor the work of the council of lab animal protection.
EHK writes reports, blog posts, columns, statements, best practise guides etc. (mainly in Finnish). All publications are freely accessed here; see also the Animal Welfare Report in English. Our website provides basic knowledge of animal welfare of different species and in general, and discusses e.g. the position of animals in the society. Consumer’s guide to farm animal welfare (in Finnish) provides information of requirements of the Finnish Animal Welfare Act and statutes concerning animal production for food.
EHK strives to improve animal welfare through active collaboration with stakeholders. We discuss, communicate, give lessons, talks and interviews, participate animal welfare related events and seminars, provide and forward expertise in animal welfare issues. Social media and this website are our main channels of communication.
Our partners are animal welfare stakeholders and general public interested in animal welfare. These include e.g. researchers, experts, teachers, authorities, NGO’s, animal hobbyists, farmers, and food industry.
