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What is TOKES?

TOKES, or the National Committee for the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific or Educational Purposes, is a broad-based group whose mission is to promote the implementation of the principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement (the so-called 3Rs principle).

TOKES makes proposals and provides statements to promote the 3Rs principle. It develops cooperation between authorities and other stakeholders, proposes improvements to training related to the use of animals for scientific or educational purposes, and enhances communication in the field. TOKES also participates in public discussions and maintains contact with corresponding bodies in other EU member states.

The establishment of the committee is regulated by the Act on the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific or Educational Purposes (497/2013). Its duties and composition are defined in a Government Decree (565/2013).

TOKES was established in 2013. The current committee, its third in composition, has a term from 2023 to 2028.

Composition of the Committee

Chair

  • Hanna-Marja Voipio – Professor, University of Oulu

Vice-Chair

  • Kati White – Executive Director, SEY Animal Welfare Finland

Secretary

  • Eila Kaliste – Chief Presenter of the Project Authorization Board, Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland

Permanent Expert to the Committee

  • Tiina Pullola – Senior Specialist, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Responsible Official

  • Jukka Mirvo – Senior Government Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Members

  • Elisa Aaltola – Adjunct Professor, University of Turku

  • Eija Aho – Director, Orion Pharma

  • Tuula Heinonen – Adjunct Professor, University of Tampere

  • Heidi Kivekäs – Executive Director, Animalia

  • Pirjo Laakkonen – Director, University of Helsinki

  • Anna Meller – Senior Veterinarian, University of Helsinki

  • Marianna Norring – Adjunct Professor, University of Helsinki

  • Tapani Parviainen – Provincial Veterinary Officer, Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland

  • Petra Sipilä – Adjunct Professor, University of Turku

  • Hanna Vuorenpää – Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Tampere

  • Emrah Yatkin – Adjunct Professor, University of Turku

Deputy Members

  • Mikko Airavaara – Professor, University of Helsinki

  • Maria Eiskop – Communications Manager, SEY Animal Welfare Finland

  • Eila Kaliste – Chief Presenter of the Project Authorization Board, Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland

  • Ilona Kareinen – Scientific Officer, European Chemicals Agency

  • Mikko Karpale – Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Oulu

  • Niina Kemppinen – Laboratory Coordinator, University of Helsinki

  • Paula Lidauer – Veterinarian, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)

  • Melina Malinen – Senior Researcher, Orion Pharma

  • Satu Mering – Director, University of Eastern Finland

  • Tiia Sudenkaarne – Researcher, University of Helsinki