This report concerns inspections of pig welfare. According to the Animal Welfare Act, all animals must be treated with care and in a responsible manner and protected as far as possible from pain, suffering, distress, permanent injury and significant disadvantage.
The purpose of the study is to assess whether the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and the Ministry of Green Transition inspections of pig welfare are satisfactory. Rigsrevisionen answers the following questions in the report:
- Do the agencies have a satisfactory basis for selecting pig producers for inspection?
- Have the agencies prepared satisfactory guidance for carrying out inspections and imposing sanctions?
- Have the agencies imposed sanctions and applied the sanctioning options provided in the legislation?
Rigsrevisionen assesses that the Danish Veterinary, Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency’ organisation and execution of inspections of pig welfare are highly unsatisfactory, while those of the Danish Agency for Green Land Reallocation and Aquatic Environment are unsatisfactory. There are several ways to avoid inspections, and there are indications that the Danish Veterinary, Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency has not increased sanctions in cases of repeated infringements. The consequence is that poor animal welfare is not detected and sanctioned effectively.
Rigsrevisionen initiated the study in February 2025.