The results of a survey conducted in June this year indicated that nearly 70 per cent of Danish producers already keep pregnant sows in group systems.

This result is based on responses from around 700 producers, representing over a third of sows kept in Denmark.

Of those who have not yet converted, around half have secured the necessary environmental approval or have already submitted an application. Of the remainder, those who intend to remain in pig production have indicated they will make the necessary application in the near future.

Around 6 per cent of those responding said they intend to stop production before 2013, but this reduction is likely to be more than offset by those farmers who plan to increase their sow numbers before 2013, according to the Danish Agriculture and Food Council.

A number of European Union countries have made representations to the Commission for a derogation to continue the use of traditional stalls for pregnant sows beyond the original deadline.

The Danish Agriculture and Food Council has welcomed reassurances from Brussels that it has no intention of extending the deadline beyond January 2013.