Denmark finally taking pig welfare seriously, following years of advocacy

Denmark's new government has made significant commitments to improve pig welfare, including ending routine tail docking, phasing out confinement systems, giving pigs more space, and reducing long-distance transport of live animals. This move comes after years of advocacy by Animal Protection Denmark, which has worked tirelessly to shed light on the harsh realities faced by pigs in intensive farming systems. The government's promise to tackle core issues in pig farms represents a landmark shift away from factory production and includes deadlines for ending tail docking and extreme breeding by 2030 and 2035 respectively.

Furthermore, the government's decision highlights the impact of listening to the demands of citizens, science, and civil society. The harmful practices in Danish pig farms not only affect animal welfare but also have long-term devastating effects on public health and the environment. By committing to reducing live pig exports and ending long-distance transportation for slaughter, Denmark's actions serve as a powerful example for the European Commission as they prepare to revise EU animal welfare legislation. This marks a crucial step towards achieving ambitious animal welfare standards for farm animals.