News article, 28. April 2023
Loose-housing is the future for Danish sows
Danish slaughterhouses presented a joint vision for the sector with a clear recommendation that loose-housing is the future for Danish sows.
In September 2022, the Danish sector for the production of pigs and pig meat comprising the Danish Agriculture & Food Council Pig Sector, the National Association of Danish Pig Producers and the Danish slaughterhouses, presented a joint vision for the sector. It includes a clear recommendation that loose-housing is the future for Danish sows. It also recommends that, with effect from 1 January 2023, all new housing should be designed for loose housing, including the farrowing pen. As a result, the Danish sector for the production of pigs and pig meat will exceed EU legislation.
A crucial element of the vision was that the Danish sector for the production of pigs and pig meat were united behind their recommendation for the future so that individual farmers can feel secure in the knowledge that the sector as a whole is pulling in the same direction.
The recommendation is already bearing fruit as shown in the recently completed round of applications to the Danish Agricultural Agency. Danish farmers have applied for grants to build 6,500 new pens for loose lactating sows. The grant pool for enhanced animal welfare in pig housing has been oversubscribed by almost DKK 50 million. However, the Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture & Fisheries has assured all farmers who have put in an application to build pens for loose, lactating sows will receive a grant.
There are currently around 9,750 pens for loose, lactating sows in Denmark. The grant applications for more than 6,500 new pens for loose, lactating sows are thus a substantial increase in the current number of pens. Moreover, it is a clear sign that the recommendation for loose housing in the farrowing unit is being taken on board by farmers up and down the country and that the sector sees loose housing as the future for Danish sows.