Regulation relevant to alien species - Finland (FI)

Regulations concerning alien species legislation are found in the Nature Conservation Act, in the Hunting Act and in the Fishing Act. In Nature Conservation Act the emphasis is on maintaining biodiversity, conserving nature's beauty and scenic values whilst in the Fishing and Hunting Act the aim is to regulate the hunting to obtain sustainable use of natural resources.

The Nature Conservation Act applies to all naturally occurring plants and animal species in Finland with exception to of game animals and non-protected animals referred to in section 5 of the Hunting Act and commercial fish species. The protection of species section 37 of Nature Conservation Act is applied also to fungi and it is also applies to sub-species, breeds, populations and forms.

Only some of the legal texts are available in English and can be found in the internet. Materials concerning the Hunting and Fishing act has been collected and added to the table, by Sauli Härkönen at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

The emphasis of the regulation part is on the effects on native (natural) vegetation, hence the effects on crops and animal protection issues has not been included in this overview. The responsibility for the plant and animal protection is under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. There are specific laws on animal and plant protection. These materials may be added later on.

Secondary regulation has not been included since it does not yet include regulations concerning alien species. These regulations are in force within plant and animal protection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The Ballast water species issues are still in preparation and they will be included when ready.

Name of Act (area)	Nature Conservation Act
Number of act	1096/1996 December 29, 1996
Special section(s) relevant to IAS	43§
Preventing the spread of non-native species	Non-native species falling outside the purview of the Hunting Act or Fishing Act are not to be released into the wild if there is a cause to suspect that the species may become established permanently
Link to national version (natl language) or a file (word or pdf)	http://www.finlex.fi/linkit/ajansd/19961096000
If available in English – link to UK version:	http://www.finlex.fi/pdf/saadkaan/E9961096.PDF

Name of Act (area)	Hunting Act
Number of act	Act no. 615 of 1993, and later change no. 1268 of 1993
Special section(s) relevant to IAS	Article 42
Content of regulations - mode of operation.	Wild bird or mammal species of foreign origin, as well as game species of foreign origin, cannot be imported or released into the wild without the permission of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. A statement on a permit application must be requested from the Ministry of Environment. If import or release into the wild would cause significant harm to the natural environment or animals dependent upon the same, the permit application will be refused. However, if permission is granted, the permit may contain stipulations on how importing and releasing into the natural environment are to be carried out. The same regulations apply to the bringing of an animal from the Åland Islands for release into the wild in some other area of Finland.
Link to national version (natl language) or a file (word or pdf)	http://www.finlex.fi/linkit/ajansd/19930615
If available in English – link to UK version:	http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1993 /en19930615.pdf

Name of Act (area)	Fishing Act
Number of act	Act no. 286 of 1982, and later change no. 252 of 1998
Special section(s) relevant to IAS	Article 94
Content of regulations - mode of operation.	The import of a fish or crayfish species not occurring naturally in Finland or of their stock or gametes is allowed only by permission of the Ministry concerned and on the terms and conditions specified by it. Permission must be denied if the measure may cause significant harm to nature or wild animals. Provisions on fish or crayfish species that be imported freely, shall be given by decree as necessary.
Link to national version (natl language) or a file (word or pdf)	http://www.finlex.fi/linkit/ajansd/19820286000
If available in English – link to UK version:	http://www.finlex.fi/pdf/saadkaan/E9820286.PDF