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 you are organising animal competitions, notify the Regional State Administrative Agency with the online form for professional or large-scale animal keeping. In the customer service portal, select the Regional State Administrative Agency in whose area the competition is being organised. A link to the online customer service portal 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 commencement of operations. When you terminate your operations, submit a notification of termination immediately. Submit a notification of termination in the e-service. Links to the websites are provided at the bottom of this page.


Submitting a notification costs EUR 87. 
 

In the view of the Finnish Food Authority, the notification obligation covers at least the following animal competitions:  

  • harness racing 
  • load pulling competitions for horses aiming at maximum performance 
  • endurance riding starting from 80 km categories 
  • cross-country phase of eventing competitions for horses at national or higher level 
  • harness racing marathon test for horses at Finnish championships or higher level 
  • show jumping competitions for horses from 140 cm upwards 
  • load-pulling competitions for dogs aiming at maximum performance 
  • greyhound races on the track and in terrain 
  • long-distance harness racing competitions for dogs 
  • agility competitions for dogs at Finnish championships or higher level 
  • cave dog tests 
  • herding competitions of e.g. sheep, cattle and reindeer for dogs at Finnish championships or higher level 
  • reindeer races

Instructions

Instructions of the Finnish Food Authority: Organising animal competitions and shows and participating in them (in Finnish)