The purpose of the Cattle Register is to ensure animal traceability and disease control. Through the register, authorities can monitor animal movements and numbers, helping to prevent and control animal diseases and ensure food safety. In addition, the register is used for supervision, support schemes and statistical purposes.
Individual data on each bovine animal kept in Finland must be recorded in the Cattle Register. Bovine animals include all animals belonging to the subfamily Bovinae, such as cattle, zebu, yak, bison and water buffalo. The same requirements apply to all these animals.
All events, such as purchases, sales, movements, animals found, slaughter, deaths and imports from abroad, must be reported within 7 days of the event.
Each calf born must be identified with two official yellow ear tags approved by the Finnish Food Authority, containing an identification code and attached to both ears. One of the ear tags must be electronic. The calf must be identified within 20 days of birth or before movement if it is moved from its holding of birth earlier. Unidentified or inadequately identified animals must not be moved from the holding.
Before a bovine animal is taken for mediation, transport or slaughter, a register query must be carried out in the Cattle Register. The register query includes the animal’s data as well as any restrictions or official measures concerning the animal.
Keepers of production animals and pets must register their holding and their animals.