Release of data on food and natural resource statistics

The protection and release of data by Luke's statistical services are closely regulated under the legislation. Unit-level data have been protected, but they can be released for scientific research and to other statistical authorities. The release of data from Luke’s statistics is based on the Statistics Act and the act on food and natural resources statistics.

According to section 13 of the Statistics Act, Luke in its role as a statistical authority can release confidential data collected for statistical purposes for scientific research and statistical surveys on societal conditions. Any data based on which the statistical unit can directly be identified cannot be released. In the above situations, Luke can, however, provide the right to use such confidential data, based on which the statistical unit can be identified indirectly.

As a statistical authority, Luke decides on the release of data and the provision of rights of use. Any released data or data obtained through a right of use cannot be redistributed, unless Luke permits this.

According to section 4 of the act on food and natural resources statistics, Luke can also release data on age, gender, education and employment, with identification information, for scientific research and statistical surveys. Identification information includes the farm ID, business ID and personal identity code. The release of data requires that the recipient of data has the right to collect and save such data in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation), and the Data Protection Act (1050/2018) or other law. Luke’s Director of Statistics and the group manager of the Bioeconomy Statistics group decide on the release of confidential statistical data through a joint procedure.

Confidentiality of data prior to publication

Data are released to all users at the same time.

Statistical data may only be handled at Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and information on them may be given before release only by persons involved in the production of the statistics concerned or who need the data of the statistics in their own work before the data are published.