In a series of new reports, which Danish newspaper Information has gained access to, it is revealed that Danish pigs live under concerning conditions in the country’s pig stables. The reports, which include 240 food inspections carried out by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen), document several cases of animal welfare problems such as hoof rot, shoulder sores, and joint inflammation among the pigs.
According to Lene Juul Pedersen, a researcher in pigs at Aarhus University, many of the observed welfare problems are directly caused by the way the pigs are kept. “These are injuries and inflammatory conditions that could have been avoided if there were better conditions in the stables,” she points out. Fødevarestyrelsen has chosen not to provide insight into the 44 most serious cases from the inspections, as these cases have led to police reports. This underscores the seriousness of the conditions that some pigs have to endure.
These revelations come in the wake of a lengthy debate about animal welfare in Danish agriculture, and the new findings will likely lead to further discussions on how the agricultural industry should regulate the treatment of animals to ensure more humane conditions.