According to the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, interest in the initiative has been exceptionally high — within just the first few weeks after its launch, producers submitted applications covering more than 500,000 pigs with intact tails.
This means that within the next three years, the number of such pigs in Denmark is expected to double, reaching about 4 million pigs with natural tails by 2028. The first milestone is 1 million pigs by 2026.
The initiative forms part of the industry’s long-term Vision 2050 strategy, aimed at improving animal welfare standards in pig production. Both farmers and piglet suppliers who previously participated in the pilot project “Joint Effort to Preserve Intact Tails” have already joined the new program.
In addition to financial compensation, the program will create a producer network to share experience on husbandry practices, transportation, and preventing tail biting. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration is actively involved in the discussions, as assessing animal welfare and ensuring proper logistics remain challenging aspects.
The program was developed jointly by the industry and the Danish government and became part of the political animal welfare agreement adopted in February 2024. After approval by the European Commission, the initiative officially received the green light.
The next step will be the approval of financial payment mechanisms by the Pig Levy Fund Board, which is financed through contributions from every slaughtered pig.
According to industry representatives, abandoning tail docking marks an important step in the transformation of Danish pig production, combining economic incentives with ethical principles of animal care.
The new program underscores Denmark’s ambition to become an EU leader in implementing practices that ensure both high productivity and improved animal welfare standards.
PigUA.info based on materials from pig333.com