Since 2021, the number of organic farms has fallen by around 5.74 per cent, including the number of pig farms, which is 122.

This is despite the Danish government’s agricultural agreement from 2021, which aims to double organic areas in Denmark by the end of 2030.

Henning Otte Hansen, Senior Adviser at the Department of Food and Resource Economics at Copenhagen University, explains that the economic crisis is a key factor behind the decline in both the number of organic farms and the size of the organic areas. According to Hansen, the crisis is forcing consumers to prioritise cheaper, conventional products, which is creating uncertainty in the organic market.

Strict production requirements for organic pig farms

Organic pig producers are subject to special production requirements. This includes special rules as regards space and tail docking. Denmark complies with the EU directive on organic pigs, but has also introduced supplementary national rules and industry recommendations. These recommendations have been drawn up between the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, the Danish Organic Association and the NGO Animal Protection Denmark.

One of the specific requirements in organic farming is that all pigs must have intact tails.  

However, organic production will soon no longer be alone in facing this requirement.

A committed effort is now underway in Denmark to ensure that more pigs in conventional pig production also have intact tails.

More pigs with intact tails in conventional pig production

To reach the target of 4 million pigs with intact tails by 2028, a so-called redistribution model has been introduced which compensates pig producers for the additional costs of producing pigs with intact tails. This includes compensation for greater supervision, and extra space, including extra space for feeding and drinking.

Danish sow farmers are able to apply for compensation if they produce pigs with intact tails. The aim is for the number of pigs with intact tails to double in 2026, 2027 and 2028 until the target of four million pigs with intact tails is reached by 2029.  

The Danish Agriculture & Food Council is currently accepting applications for the compensation scheme until 15 June 2025. If a farmer is approved for the scheme, it will take effect on 1 January 2026.

A pig’s life on a Danish farm

Overview of the differences in pork from Danish organic pigs, Danish free-range and Danish conventional pigs.