It is seeking a court ruling on whether the government’s temporary ban on the building and development of conventional pig housing facilities is lawful or legally null and void. The Council believes that the ban has been introduced without the necessary statutory authority.   

The ban comes at a time when both the production and export of Danish pig meat have risen substantially. This year has seen an 8 per cent rise in slaughtering numbers while pigmeat exports have also increased compared to last year.   

According to figures from the EU Commission and Eurostat’s database, Comext, Denmark’s pigmeat exports increased by 9 per cent in the first eight months of this year. Some 441,595 tonnes of pigmeat were shipped to third countries, with Japan, the Philippines and Australia leading the way. Exports to China and the UK saw a year-on-year decline.  

Last month, H.C. Gæmelke, the Chairman of the Pig Sector at the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, came out strongly against the Danish government’s plan.  

“It’s difficult to understand why the government is putting the industry on an indefinite hold, creating enormous uncertainty about the future. We’ve agreed to take part in the four-part agreement on pig production to develop Danish pig production, not to phase it out. The government wants more and better animal welfare but is blocking the investments required to make it possible.” 

The temporary ban will also have a knock-on effect in that it will impact local tradespeople, the agricultural supply industry and rural communities. 

DAFC has requested expedited court proceedings.