Notification of an animal competition
The organiser of an animal competition must submit a written notification of animal competition activities in which the animal may be subjected to unreasonable stress, pain or suffering. You must submit the notification even if you organise only one animal competition.
An animal competition requiring a notification may only be held if the organiser designates a veterinarian for each competition. This veterinarian must be present at the competition.
Information about the notification
Remember to report any major changes before the start of the competition.
When organising animal competitions
1. complete the notification of animal keeping or trading in animals. A link to the form is
provided at the bottom of this page.
2. Send the form to the registry of the Regional State Administrative Agency in whose area the
competition is held. A link to the contact details of the Regional State Administrative Agency’s
registries is provided at the bottom of this page.
The notification must contain the following information:
1. details of the competition organiser
2. is the notification for a fixed term or valid until further notice
3. start date of the activities
4. the Regional State Administrative Agency/Agencies in whose area the competitions take place
5. the types of animal competitions that are planned and the animal species that would be used
6. estimated number of the animal competitions planned for each year and the way in which
information on the location and dates of the future competitions will be provided.
7. qualifications of the competition organiser.
The notification must be submitted no later than 30 days before the start of the activities and as soon as possible after the end of the activities.
The notification is processed free of charge.
In the view of the Finnish Food Authority, the notification obligation covers at least the following animal competitions:
- show jumping competitions at national or higher level
- cross-country phase of eventing competitions
- endurance riding
- harness racing
- dressage and Western riding competitions at Finnish championships and higher level
- load pulling competitions for horses
- harness racing marathon test for horses
- long-distance harness racing competitions for dogs
- agility competitions for dogs at Finnish championships and higher level
- load-pulling competitions for dogs
- cave dog tests
- reindeer races
- greyhound cross-country races
- greyhound track races