News article, 29. February 2024

Danish animal welfare agreement raises the bar

The Danish Parliament recently adopted a new animal welfare agreement which, in a number of respects, raises the bar of what Danish farmers will need to do.

Photo: Danish Agriculture & Food Council

The Danish Parliament recently adopted a new animal welfare agreement which, in a number of respects, raises the bar in terms of what Danish farmers will be required to do in future. Danish Agriculture & Food Council Chairman, Søren Søndergaard, welcomes the agreement and the fact that it gives farmers clarity.

Generally satisfied

"The Food Minister has worked hard to get the parties to agree on a package that is acceptable to the government and six other organisations and that deserves recognition,” says Søren Søndergaard.

The Chairman points out that both security of investment and clear objectives are crucial for farmers when it comes to investing in new housing systems and implementing other work procedures.

"It’s in our interest to raise animal welfare standards and develop production. It’s also highly consequential that the Danish Parliament has established a clear and unequivocal framework that we can buy into. I’m therefore pleased that the government has reached a broad agreement which extends several years into the future,” says Søren Søndergaard.

The agreement covers poultry, pigs and cattle. Indeed, several aspects of the agreement are reflected in agriculture’s own vision for the future, and that is to be welcomed, believes Søren Søndergaard.

"Although not everything is as we would have wished, the politicians have listened to the industry and that’s gratifying. It’s up to us now to deliver on the agreement.”

Seven points in the agreement specifically target Danish pig production:

Higher piglet survival
Loose-housed sows in the farrowing unit
Training requirements for personnel in sow farms
More pigs with intact tails
Sprinkling systems in pig housing
Anaesthesia prior to pig castration
A push for higher sow survival

See the full agreement here (in Danish): Sammen_om_Dyrene_-_Aftale_om_dyrevelfaerd_2024-2027.pdf (fvm.dk)

EU should follow Denmark

The EU is expected to put forward proposals for a revision of the animal welfare rules. This will be important for Denmark because Danish food production is in strong competition with the other EU countries. It is therefore important for the Danish Agriculture & Food Council that the government puts pressure on the other EU countries,” says Søren Søndergaard.

"It’s also important that the government ensures that other EU countries attain the same animal welfare standard as we have in Denmark. This is the way we’ll improve the lives of animals throughout the Union and create a level playing field between member countries.”