Finnish Food Authority
The Finnish Food Authority works for the good of humans, animals and plants, supports the vitality of the agricultural sector, and develops and maintains information systems.
The Finnish Food Authority began its operations on 1 January 2019 when the Finnish Food Safety Authority, the Agency for Rural Affairs and part of the IT services of the National Land Survey of Finland were merged into one single Authority. The Authority operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and its head office is located in Seinäjoki. The Finnish Food Authority’s activities cover the entirety of Finland, and the Authority employs almost one thousand experts and professionals in 20 locations. The Authority operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
The Finnish Food Authority
- promotes, monitors and studies the safety and quality of food; the health and wellbeing of animals; plant health; fertiliser products, animal feeds and plant protection products that are used in agricultural and forestry production; and propagating materials i.e. seeds and planting materials.
- is responsible for the use of the funds provided by the European Union’s agricultural guarantee and rural development funds in Finland, operates as the EU’s paying agency and monitors the implementation of EU and national grants – farming subsidies, project, entrepreneurship and structural subsidies as well as market subsidies.
In addition, the Finnish Food Authority develops and maintains the information systems used in rural business administration, develops online services, maintains and develops the registers used in the field, and also produces information management services for the agencies and departments that operate under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as well as other public authorities.
What services can I get?
- Finnish Food Authority
AGREX export certificateFinnish Food Authority
Permit or other obligationNationwidePublic serviceExporting certain agriculture products to third countries requires an AGREX export certificate. - Finnish Food Authority
Aid for stocking horticultural productsFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceNational aid for stocking horticultural products, based on storage space used for stocking outdoor vegetables. - Finnish Food Authority
Aid for stocking wild berries and mushroomsFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceThe aid is meant to cover the expenses of long-term storage of wild berries and mushrooms picked and stored in support area C. - Finnish Food Authority
Animal welfare paymentFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceAnimal welfare payments are partly funded by the EU for livestock farms. - Finnish Food Authority
Approval of slaughterhouses and small-scale slaughterhousesFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceSlaughterhouses must apply for an approval before starting operations or making significant changes to operations. - Finnish Food Authority
Basic income support for active farmersFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceSupport is based on eligible farmland throughout the country. The purpose is to guarantee a minimum level of agricultural income support for farmers. - Finnish Food Authority
Become an advisor to farm advisory servicesFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceYou can provide advice funded by the EU EAFRD once you have been approved as an advisor to farm advisory services. - Finnish Food Authority
Cattle premiumFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceThe cattle premium is EU-funded support for animal farms. - Finnish Food Authority
Compensation for organic productionFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceOn the basis of the organic production commitment, compensation is paid for organic plant and domestic animal production. - Finnish Food Authority
Data system for forest reproductive materialFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceAn e-service that is used to report seed collection, retrieve master certificates and submit data forms for EU trade. - Finnish Food Authority
Development of rural services and means of livelihoodFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceThe purpose of a development and investment project is to create something new or to develop existing services in rural areas. - Finnish Food Authority
Eco-scheme support for farmersFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceFarmers receive support for plant cover in winter and the cultivation of nature management grasslands, green manure grasslands and biodiversity crops. - Finnish Food Authority
Environmental compensationFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceEnvironmental compensation is an aid aimed at reducing the environmental load of agriculture. - City of Kotka
Export certificates for foodstuffs and other products of animal and plant originCity of Kotka
Permit or other obligation2 municipalitiesPublic serviceAppropriate certificates are required for exporting food and other products of plant and animal origin outside the EU - City of Raisio
Export certificates for foodstuffs and other products of animal and plant originCity of Raisio
Permit or other obligation3 municipalitiesPublic serviceAppropriate certificates are required for exporting food and other products of plant and animal origin outside the EU - Finnish Food Authority
FLEGT license scheme – import of timber and timber products into the European UnionFinnish Food Authority
Permit or other obligationNationwidePublic serviceThe FLEGT licence guarantees that the timber and timber products are legally produced. - Finnish Food Authority
Health permit for farming aquaculture speciesFinnish Food Authority
Permit or other obligationNationwidePublic serviceFarmers of aquaculture animals, with some exceptions, must apply for a Food Authority's authorization for their operations. - Finnish Food Authority
Import of animal samples and exhibits from outside the EU - import permitFinnish Food Authority
Permit or other obligationNationwidePublic serviceFinnish Food Authority grants import permits for animal samples or items for which there are no uniform import conditions specified in legislation. - Finnish Food Authority
Income support for young farmersFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceThe income support for young farmers is an EU-funded direct area-related aid for young farmers. - Finnish Food Authority
Maintenance of native plantsFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceThe maintenance agreement for native plants is a partly EU-funded compensation for farmers of indigenous plants. - Finnish Food Authority
Meat inspectionFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceThe meat of domestic and game animals that is intended for public consumption must be inspected. - Finnish Food Authority
Meat inspectorFinnish Food Authority
Professional qualificationNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceA person assisting the veterinary inspector to inspect meat in slaughterhouses. - Finnish Food Authority
Predator damagesFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceDetriments large predators have caused to crops, domestic animals, personal property and reindeer can be claimed for compensation. - Finnish Food Authority
Recognition of qualifications acquired abroad for the artificial reproduction of animalsFinnish Food Authority
Professional qualificationNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceRecognising foreign professional qualifications for the artificial reproduction of animals (artificial insemination and embryo transfer) in Finland. - Finnish Food Authority
Redistributive income support for farmersFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceThe payment shall be made as an annual decoupled payment per eligible hectare, to farmers who also receive basic income support. - Finnish Food Authority
Registration and approval of feed business operators in accordance with the feed hygiene regulationFinnish Food Authority
Permit or other obligationNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceThe registration requirement applies to all operators in the feed chain, and the approval requirement to some feed business operators. - Finnish Food Authority
Registration as an operator in the fertiliser sectorFinnish Food Authority
Permit or other obligationNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceBefore starting the manufacture, marketing or import of a fertilising product, the operator must submit a written notification of the start to the FFA - Rovakaari Environmental Health Services
Registration of a carrion feeding siteRovakaari Environmental Health Services
Permit or other obligation5 municipalitiesPublic serviceRegister your carrion feeding site before starting carrion activities. - Lappeenranta Region Environmental Office
Registration of a carrion feeding siteLappeenranta Region Environmental Office
Permit or other obligation5 municipalitiesPublic serviceFeeding with carrion requires registration of the carrion feeding site - Municipality of Pirkkala
Registration of a carrion feeding siteMunicipality of Pirkkala
Permit or other obligation6 municipalitiesPublic serviceFeeding with carrion means setting food at a site to attract animals. - City of Kotka
Registration of a carrion feeding siteCity of Kotka
Permit or other obligation2 municipalitiesPublic serviceFeeding with carrion means setting food at a site to attract animals. - Finnish Food Authority
Registration of a primary production operator in feed businessFinnish Food Authority
Permit or other obligationNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceFarmers and livestock producers must register as primary production operators in feed business and report the use of certain animal proteins as feed. - Finnish Food Authority
Registration of slaughterhouses in the bonus systemFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceFarmers will be paid animal bonuses for the slaughtered cattle, sheep and goats when the slaughterhouses have been registered in the bonus system. - Finnish Food Authority
Right to keep broilers in Finland (professional qualifications acquired abroad)Finnish Food Authority
Professional qualificationNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceBroiler keepers must have skills equivalent to the unit concerning meat poultry of the degree confirmed by the Finnish National Agency for Education. - Finnish Food Authority
Sheep and goat premiumsFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceSheep and goat premiums are EU-funded support for animal farms. - Finnish Food Authority
Submitting food supply chain data to a slaughterhouseFinnish Food Authority
Permit or other obligationNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceFood supply chain data means information that a primary production operator must send to the slaughterhouse from the primary production premises. - Finnish Food Authority
The Finnish Food Authority’s Hygiene Passport customer serviceFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceThe service provides information on the Hygiene Passport and hygiene proficiency system in Finland - Finnish Food Authority
The import of agricultural products into the European UnionFinnish Food Authority
Permit or other obligationNationwidePublic serviceThe import of agricultural products into the European Union often requires an import licence. - Finnish Food Authority
The right of a student studying veterinary medicine abroad to act as a substitute veterinarianFinnish Food Authority
Professional qualificationNationwidePublic serviceA person who studies veterinary medicine in an EU/EEA state may be given a temporary right to practise the profession of a veterinarian in Finland. - Finnish Food Authority
Veterinary inspectorFinnish Food Authority
Professional qualificationNationwide except the Åland IslandsPublic serviceVeterinarian responsible for meat inspection and institutional control in slaughterhouses. - Finnish Food Authority
Wetland management agreementFinnish Food Authority
ServiceNationwidePublic serviceA wetland management agreement is an environmental agreement that promotes the management of multifunctional wetlands.
See more service channels by this organization
Registration as a feed business operator in primary production
E-serviceNationwide except the Åland IslandsFarmers and livestock farmers must register as feed business operators in primary production.Touko – e-service for seed, feed and fertiliser control
E-serviceNationwideTouko is an online service of the Food Authority for documents concerning seeds, fertilisers and feed as well as for registering as a feed operator.Vipu – e-service for farmers
E-serviceNationwideVipu is an e-service for farmers. In the Vipu service, you can prepare an online application for support and view the details of your farm.
Approval of feed business operators using animal protein in accordance with the TSE Regulation
FormNationwide except the Åland IslandsThe use of processed animal protein (PAP), blood products and di- or tricalcium phosphate in the manufacture of feed.Approval of feed business operators using certain additives
FormNationwide except the Åland IslandsFeed business operators using certain feed additives must apply for approval from the Finnish Food Authority before the planned start of operations.Approval of manufacturers and retailers of medicated feed
FormNationwide except the Åland IslandsMedicated feed can be manufactured and sold only by feed business operators approved by the Finnish Food Authority.Notification of a change in or cessation of operations in the feed business
FormNationwide except the Åland IslandsFeed business operators must notify the Finnish Food Authority of any changes in or cessation of operations without delay.Notification of the start of operations in the fertiliser sector
FormNationwide except the Åland IslandsThe manufacture, sale and importation of fertiliser products requires entry in the Finnish Food Authority’s control register.Registration as a feed business operator under the Feed Hygiene Regulation
FormNationwide except the Åland IslandsThe registration applies to feed producers, importers, exporters, transporters and storages as well as food business supplying by-products for feed.Registration or approval of feed business operators using animal by-products
FormNationwide except the Åland IslandsRegistration and approval of feed business operators using animal by-products of categories 2 and 3 in accordance with the by-products regulation.Registration or approval to use animal protein for feed
FormNationwide except the Åland IslandsNotification by farmers and livestock producers on the use of certain animal proteins as feedUse of milk and milk-based products for feed and registration of farms
FormNationwide except the Åland IslandsRegistration of food-producing farms using milk and milk-based products to feed food-producing animals
The Finnish Food Authority’s Hygiene Passport customer service: telephone
Telephone serviceNationwideThe Hygiene Passport customer service answers questions related to the Hygiene Passport. The telephone service is open on Tuesdays from 9 am to noon.Tuesday 9.00–12.00Telephone:+358 295300402(free of charge)
Approval of a slaughterhouse
WebsiteNationwide except the Åland IslandsSlaughterhouses, game handling establishments and adjoining meat industry establishments are approved by the Finnish Food Authority.Control of fertilising products and activities in the fertiliser sector
WebsiteNationwide except the Åland IslandsThe manufacture, placing on the market and import of fertiliser products are supervised by the Finnish Food Authority.Dog registry information
WebsiteNationwideYou can find frequently asked questions and answers related to the Dog Registry on the Ruokavirasto.fi -website.More information on imports of wood products from outside the EU
WebsiteNationwideThere are many requirements for imports of wood products from third countries. On this site you will find more information.Organising a meat inspection
WebsiteNationwide except the Åland IslandsOrganising a meat inspection and meat inspection staff (veterinary inspector and meat inspector) in slaughterhouses and small slaughterhouses.Provision and supervision of food supply chain data
WebsiteNationwide except the Åland IslandsInformation on the food supply chain data and their delivery to a slaughterhouse and the forms for providing the chain data.Register of advisors
WebsiteNationwide except the Åland IslandsYou will find a suitable advisor for your farm in the register of advisors.The Finnish Food Authority’s Hygiene Passport customer service: website
WebsiteNationwideYou can find information about the Hygiene Passport from the website of the Finnish Food Authority's Hygiene Passport customer service.
Record Office
kirjaamo@foodauthority.fi
Organisation identification data
Business ID: 2911686-7
Telephone number
Website
Finnish Food Authority
www.foodauthority.fiOpens in a new window.
Postal address
PL 100
00027 Ruokavirasto