Beef calves are driven from southern Finland to the farm in Kittilä to be fattened up before being driven back down south about six months later for slaughtering.
The Levi-Farm is owned by two of Finland's biggest beef producing farmers, who live further south. They deny that the operation is designed to cash in on subsidies without regard for the discomfort suffered by animals during thousands of kilometres on the highways. They note that while subsidies are higher in northern Finland, so are expenses.
The national subsidy paid for each heifer from Lapland is 447 euros, compared to the 270 euros paid for the same animals if they are delivered to an abattoir from Ostrobothnia or Savo.
The Atria meat company, which organizes the cattle transport, says it considers the long drives to be a normal, worthwhile business activity.