Denmark slaughters around 20 million pigs a year and exports more than 70 per cent of the resulting pig meat to other EU countries, especially to Germany, the UK and Poland.

Therefore, progress concerning animal welfare in Danish pig production has a high impact on other member states of the European Union.

The conference will be attended by the Minister of Food Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark, Dan Jørgensen, the Minister for Agriculture Sharon Dijksma (NL), the Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Christian Schmidt (DE), and Sven-Erik Bucht, the Minister for Rural Affairs in Sweden.

Different stakeholders, scientists and specialists will present their knowledge oncastration, tail docking, organic farming, as well as mortality and welfare in the farrowing unit, sustainability, market-driven animal welfare, live transport and, last but not least, education and training.

Given the importance of this event, Eurogroup for Animals and several of its members will be represented.

Reineke Hameleers, Director of Eurogroup for Animals, will give a presentation about the NGOs’ perspective on the alternatives to surgical castration of piglets in the workshop dedicated to the castration of piglets.

Peter Stevenson, Chief Policy Advisor of Compassion in World Farming, will hold an opening presentation about the Welfare Challenges Facing the Pig Sector.

Birgitte Iversen Damm from Dyrenes Beskyttelse, will talk about routine tail docking in pigs at the tail docking of piglets workshop. Kate Parks from RSPCA will give a joint presentation about good animal welfare as a business opportunity.

The conference represents a unique opportunity to share experiences and try to find the way forward for a welfare friendly pig production in Denmark and throughout the world.