Certificate of competency for the slaughter of animals and killing of fur animals
- Permit or other obligation
- Nationwide except the Åland Islands
- Public service
You need a certificate of competency if you work in a slaughterhouse or offer at-home slaughtering services commercially. You also need a certificate of competency for the killing of fur animals during pelting.
Working at a slaughterhouse:
You are allowed to work at a slaughterhouse in tasks related to the handling, stunning and bleeding of animals when you have a certificate of competency.
For ...
Do the following
If you need a certificate of competency in accordance with the Council Regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing, do the following:
- Familiarise yourself with the requirements of animal welfare regulations relating to the killing of animals.
- Participate in a training course covering the slaughter of animals or the killing of fur animals. You will need a certificate of having passed the final examination of this course.
- Apply for a certificate of competency in the electronic service or fill in a form (available in Finnish and Swedish) that you deliver to the registry of your local Regional State Administrative Agency. Attach a copy of the above-mentioned course certificate to the application.
To whom and on what terms
You can apply for a certificate of competency when you have successfully completed a degree programme or part of one. The subjects of the degree have to be applicable for the categories of animals in question and concern slaughter procedures or the killing the of fur animals.
Acceptable certificates include:
- the completion of a relevant professional degree
- the completion of a relevant part or parts of a degree
- the completion of non-degree professional training (“custom training”).
For more information about suitable education, visit the website of the Finnish National Agency for Education (oph.fi) or contact the relevant educational institutions directly.
You cannot get a permanent or temporary certificate of competency if you have committed a serious infringement of EU law or national animal welfare legislation during the three years preceding the application for a certificate.
You can be granted a temporary certificate of competency after you have registered for the above-mentioned education. You have to provide a written statement that you have not been previously granted another temporary certificate of competency in the same field.
When you have a temporary certificate of competency, you have to work under the direct supervision of a person with a certificate of competency granted for the speficied procedure.
A temporary certificate of competency is valid for a maximum of three months.
Deadline
Apply for a certificate of competency well in advance of the slaughter of animals or the killing of fur animals.
Processing time
The processing time of an application is approximately 1 month
Period of validity
The certificate of competency is valid until further notice. A temporary certificate is valid for up to three months. The certificate of competency can be revoked if the conditions for granting the certificate are not met. The Regional State Administrative Agency will hear the views of the party before making a decision on revoking a certificate of competency.
Background information
Animal Welfare Act
Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing