Finnish fur farms reported non-existent mink to register

Animal Rights Academy has filed a police report against the Finnish Fur Breeders’ Association (Fifur), alleging it instructed fur farmers to update registry data unlawfully by reporting mink farming even when no mink were present or plans to acquire them confirmed.

The Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) stated that 40 fur farming businesses submitted incorrect data to the animal keeper and premises register but corrected it after official guidance. Such errors complicate disease control, as registrations should only be made when animals are actually kept, not in anticipation.

Fifur’s executive director Marja Tiura denied the allegations, calling the Animal Rights Academy’s actions “gross harassment” and insisting Fifur has not provided or encouraged false information. She emphasized that farmers enter their own data into the register, which Fifur cannot access.

In a newsletter, Fifur had advised farmers that if they had any intention of starting mink farming, they should report it as early as possible to the register. The authority’s specialist Laura Havukainen clarified that registrations must reflect actual animal keeping, not future intentions.

Animal Rights Academy has requested police investigate whether Fifur incited or aided registry offences and whether the farms submitting false data committed such offences.