Increasing long-distance pig transport raises concerns among Danish politicians
An increasing number of piglets are being transported for up to 50 hours to countries like Germany, Poland, Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Spain. The rise in long-distance pig transport has led to divisions among politicians. Last year, 10.7 million pigs were transported for more than 10 hours, which is two million more than in 2017, according to figures from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.
Carl Valentin, the animal welfare spokesperson for the Socialist People’s Party, criticized these long transports, calling them irresponsible and stressing that piglets suffer during such journeys. The Social Democrats share similar concerns, with agricultural spokesperson Ida Auken stating that farmers are opting to export pigs rather than create jobs in Denmark, which is not the type of production the party supports.
A recent documentary titled “If Pigs Could Talk” features distressing recordings from a pig transport that show signs of high stress among the animals. While 98% of exported pigs are piglets, the documentary highlighted the poor conditions faced during transport. Danish pig farmers take advantage of better prices in international markets, establishing a successful pig production sector that meets European demand.
However, differing views exist on the issue. Kristian Bøgsted from the Denmark Democrats acknowledged the suffering shown in the documentary but believes not all animal transports are harmful if conducted properly. He advocates for further research into improving animal welfare.
Food and Agriculture Minister Jacob Jensen noted that current regulations for pig transportation are insufficient, and many parties are looking forward to tighter EU regulations that will reduce transportation times and ensure better rest periods for animals. The Socialist People’s Party supports stricter regulations, even if it means a decline in exports of piglets, emphasizing the need for a shift towards more sustainable agricultural practices in Denmark.