Danish pork producers warn of severe animal welfare decline under new government

Danish pork producers have raised alarms over impending policy changes as the incoming government finalizes its platform, with industry leaders warning of “extremely poor animal welfare” if proposed restrictions on pig farming take effect, DR reports.

Jeppe Bloch Nielsen, chair of Danske Svineproducenter (Danish Pig Producers), criticized plans to ban tail docking of sows—a practice currently permitted under EU law with exemptions for farms facing tail-biting issues. “If politicians decide to end tail docking overnight, it will mean poorer welfare,” he said. “We care about our animals and don’t want to see their welfare decline.”

Tail-biting, Nielsen explained, risks severe infections when the spine is exposed, causing “enormous pain” for pigs. The practice of docking tails is intended to mitigate this risk.

A separate proposal to ban the use of farrowing crates—stalls that restrict sows’ movement to prevent them from crushing piglets—has also drawn opposition. While these crates are already being phased out by 2040, Nielsen argued that premature removal would increase piglet mortality. “If we release the sows as Alternativet [the Green party] suggests, all statistics show mortality will rise,” he said. “I’d like to hear their response to that.”

Nielsen accused political campaigns of unfairly targeting pig farmers, stating that the industry already prioritizes animal welfare. “We can’t buy into this Disneyfied world where livestock farming is portrayed as flawless,” he said. “It’s tough for the animals sometimes.”

His broader concern is that stricter regulations could shrink Denmark’s pork production at a time of global population growth. “Food demand is rising by 8,500 people per hour,” he noted. “Limiting production now is misguided.”

The governing coalition—comprising the Social Democrats, SF, the Moderates, and Radikale Venstre—is set to unveil its full policy platform on Tuesday.