In recent years, the social and economic significance of information on the operation of the food chain and food quality and safety has increased a great deal. Food crises, subsequent publicity and increased consumer awareness have highlighted the importance of understanding the functioning of the food chain.

The new statistical publication compiled by Tike, the Information Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Pellolta pöytään [From Field to Table], fulfils the increasing need for information. It contains information on the actors and operation of the food chain, as well as on surveillance and control of food and animal feeds. In addition, the publication provides information on the health and wellbeing of livestock.


Functioning of food chain the origin of everything

The first two parts of the Pellolta pöytään statistical report describe the food chain and the diversity of the activities it involves. At the same time, a frame of reference is provided for the information to follow.


Part three of the publication consists of information on food and animal feeds surveillance and control. The publication draws together the main points of the information from municipal food surveillance and annually repeated surveillance programmes. In Finland, food surveillance is principally the responsibility of local authorities. Consequently, the focal point of control data is that obtained from municipal food surveillance.


Part four of the report contains information related to the health and wellbeing of livestock, such as the incidence of certain communicable veterinary diseases. The introduction to this section delves into the subject matter, which is wide-ranging in content and sometimes difficult to define. The analysis focuses particularly on the structural change in livestock production and the challenges it creates.


Tike as developer of food safety statistics

As a statistical authority, Tike develops and coordinates compilation of statistics related to food safety in cooperation with the Finnish Food Safety Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Tike's current statistical reports include plenty of information either directly or indirectly linked to food quality and safety. However, this information has never before been assembled together from the food safety perspective.


The work of producing statistics related to food safety is only just beginning. Current focal points are especially compilation of statistics on food and animal feed controls and surveillance, the development of which is subject of much attention also at EU level. Future new information packages will include e.g. agricultural production methods and organic production.



Additional information

Researcher Sirpa Karppinen, tel. +358 (0)20 77 21341
All email addresses are formed: firstname.lastname@mmmtike.fi


Orders

Publication available from:
tilastojulkaisut@mmmtike.fi