Government Decree concerning payment for animal welfare commitments (No. 1381 of 2022).

The present Decree contains contains provisions on the payment for voluntary animal welfare commitments referred to in Article 70 of the European Parliament and Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2115. Payment for animal welfare commitments is part of Finland's strategic plan for the common agricultural policy for 2023-2027, which has been approved by the European Commission. Payment for animal welfare commitment can be granted and paid during the period that the strategic plan is in force within the framework of the funds allocated in the state budget. A voluntary commitment regarding animal welfare starts on January 1st and ends on December 31st of the respective commitment year. Article 4 contains a list of animal-specific measures that can be considered for the voluntary welfare commitments and the rest of the Decree regulates them in detail. Article 29 specifies the payments for animal welfare commitments, which may be paid annually per animal unit for animals that are eligible for compensation.