As part of this transition, the industry-wide initiative, United Around Intact Tails, has been launched. Under this compensation model, pig producers who raise pigs with intact tails receive financial support funded collectively by Danish pig producers.
The industry has recently presented seven concrete animal welfare initiatives, one of which is an expansion of the intact tail scheme. The original target was one million pigs by 2026 and two million by 2027. That ambition has now been significantly increased to three million by 2027 and between four and six million by 2028.
A new application round for participation in the scheme will open at the end of April 2026.
A major transition – and a shared responsibility
Moving towards production systems where pigs keep their tails intact represents a significant cultural and practical shift. It requires changing routines and management practices that have been standard for many years. Challenges are expected to arise during the transition, and according to Niels-Peder Nielsen, Chief Adviser at the Danish Agriculture & Food Council’s Pig Sector, it is essential that the Danish pig sector works together by sharing knowledge, learning from experience, and supporting producers throughout the process.
“If tail docking is stopped overnight without introducing new routines and updated management practices, the risk of tail biting increases, leading to poorer animal welfare. We must avoid that, which requires understanding and patience from everyone,” he says.
The transition therefore depends not only on ambition, but also on collaboration, practical guidance, and continued support across the entire industry.
Documented justification
In Denmark, tail docking may only be carried out when there is documented evidence that it is necessary. This reflects both Danish legislation and wider EU efforts to reduce tail docking and improve pig welfare. The European Commission has requested that all EU member states provide written assessments of the risk factors for tail biting before tail docking is permitted. This strengthens existing rules stating that pigs must not be tail-docked as a routine practice.
Denmark had already tightened its national requirements in 2019. Under these rules, pig producers must document incidents of tail biting in writing, carry out a risk assessment of the herd, and prepare an action plan based on the findings.
An action plan is mandatory following the risk assessment. It may focus either on how identified tail-biting risks will be addressed or on how the herd will gradually transition away from tail docking.
The stricter documentation requirements are intended to ensure that tail docking is used only when strictly necessary to protect pigs from tail biting and safeguard animal welfare.
Key documentation requirements for tail docking:
- Risk assessment: Pig producers must complete a written risk assessment identifying the causes and contributing factors of tail biting within the herd.
- Action plan: An action plan must be prepared describing the measures to be implemented to improve the pigs’ environment and reduce the risk of tail biting. Where tail biting is not present, the plan should also include a gradual transition towards keeping an increasing number of pigs with intact tails.
- Documentation from the supplier: If tail-docked pigs are purchased from other herds, documentation justifying the need for tail docking must be provided by the original herd or any intermediary supplier.
- Record retention: All documentation must be stored and made available for inspection by the relevant authorities, such as the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration or the certification body responsible for inspections under the DANISH Product Standard.
Niels-Peder Nielsen, Chief Adviser at the Danish Agriculture & Food Council’s Pig Sector.