Denmark’s Piglet Deaths Trigger Legal Storm

Steven Højlund

Writer

February 26, 2026
2:08 pm

Danish politicians have filed a police report against pig breeding company DanBred and agricultural organization Landbrug & Fødevarer, alleging violations of animal welfare laws through extreme breeding practices that result in approximately 25,000 piglet deaths daily. The case centers on breeding sows to produce over 20 piglets despite having only 14 teats, contributing to a piglet mortality rate of nearly 22 percent.

Daily Death Toll Sparks Legal Action

Members of parliament from the left-wing party Enhedslisten, Søren Egge Rasmussen and Peder Hvelplund, have taken the unusual step of filing criminal charges against major players in Denmark’s pork industry. The politicians argue that current breeding practices constitute a clear breach of Danish animal welfare legislation.

According to data from agricultural research organization Seges Innovation, around 9 million piglets die annually before reaching slaughterhouses. This represents nearly 22 percent of all piglets born in Danish pig farms. Many deaths occur at birth or shortly after, with piglets unable to access sufficient milk due to overcrowding at the limited number of available teats.

The average Danish sow now gives birth to just over 20 piglets per litter but typically has only 14 teats. This biological mismatch, according to the complaint, directly results from selective breeding programs aimed at maximizing litter sizes for economic benefit.

Breeding Program Under Fire

DanBred, a company specializing in pig genetics and selling boar semen to pig producers, stands at the center of the controversy. The politicians claim that DanBred’s continued focus on breeding for larger litters has directly contributed to both the high piglet mortality rate and rising sow deaths.

The police report specifically states that DanBred’s targeted breeding for larger litters, combined with unchanged high piglet mortality and increasing sow mortality over a 16-year period, has exposed millions of animals to severe suffering.

Rasmussen characterizes the approach as extreme breeding, prioritizing productivity over animal welfare. Denmark’s animal welfare law stipulates that animals are living beings that must be treated responsibly and protected as much as possible from pain, suffering, fear, permanent injury, and significant discomfort.

Economic Gains Versus Animal Welfare

While acknowledging that larger litters benefit farmers’ bottom lines, Rasmussen argues that sows cannot physically manage such large numbers of piglets. The breeding strategy has resulted in a situation where millions of piglets die prematurely simply because the breeding program has pushed biological limits too far.

The complaint notes that approximately 40 million pigs are born in Denmark annually. With over 9 million dying before slaughter, the mortality rate raises serious questions about the sustainability and ethics of current breeding practices.

Industry Dismisses Charges

DanBred director Torben Aarris has rejected the allegations, calling the police report a political stunt. In a written response, he stated that he cannot understand why the company has been targeted with criminal charges. Aarris maintains that DanBred delivers genetics at the highest international level, which is exactly what the company was established to provide.

Landbrug & Fødevarer, the agricultural industry organization and majority owner of DanBred, declined to comment directly on the charges. The organization referred all questions to DanBred itself.

Minister Refuses to Take Sides

Agriculture and Food Minister Jacob Jensen from the Liberal Party (Venstre) has declined to comment on whether current piglet and sow mortality rates comply with animal welfare legislation. In a written statement, Jensen said he cannot comment on an ongoing police matter and refused to participate in what he characterized as Enhedslisten’s attention-seeking behavior during an election year.

However, Jensen pointed to Denmark’s first animal welfare agreement reached two years ago between parliamentary parties. Notably, Enhedslisten chose not to participate in that agreement. Jensen emphasized that the agreement includes several initiatives aimed at reducing piglet and sow mortality, with working groups currently discussing concrete measures.

History Repeating Itself

This is not the first time Enhedslisten has taken legal action against the agricultural industry over animal welfare concerns. In 2011, party member Per Clausen filed a similar police report against the entire board of Landbrug & Fødevarer for violations of animal welfare laws.

At that time, police did not pursue the case. Industry representatives claimed mortality rates were declining and promised improvements would soon be visible throughout the production chain. The board chairman at the time, Lindhart B. Nielsen, stated that mortality among breeding animals was falling and would eventually lead to lower mortality rates in primary production.

Strikingly, the daily piglet mortality rate in 2011 was also approximately 25,000, identical to today’s figures. Meanwhile, sow mortality has actually worsened, increasing from 12.8 percent in 2011 to 16.4 percent in 2024.

Alternative Breeding Methods Available

Rasmussen finds it deeply troubling that piglet mortality has not improved over 15 years while sow mortality has risen during the same period. He attributes this stagnation to Landbrug & Fødevarer’s political influence, claiming the organization is highly skilled at persuading politicians to avoid implementing regulations that might inconvenience their production methods.

The politician points to Topigs Norsvin, an alternative pig breeding company, as proof that different approaches are possible. Topigs Norsvin has successfully bred sows with mortality rates less than one-third of those associated with DanBred genetics. Crucially, Topigs Norsvin sows produce litters that match the number of available teats.

For Rasmussen, this demonstrates that the industry could choose less extreme breeding strategies while maintaining viable commercial operations. The existence of alternative breeding programs undermines industry claims that current mortality rates are unavoidable or represent the best possible outcomes.

Political and Industry Tensions

The police report highlights ongoing tensions between animal welfare advocates and Denmark’s powerful agricultural sector. The pork industry represents a significant component of Danish exports and rural employment, giving agricultural organizations considerable political leverage.

Despite Denmark’s reputation for high food safety and quality standards, critics argue that animal welfare has lagged behind other regulatory priorities. The 2024 animal welfare agreement marked a shift in political attention, though disagreements remain over the pace and scope of necessary reforms.

Whether this police report will lead to prosecutions or policy changes remains uncertain. Previous attempts to use legal mechanisms to force industry reforms have not succeeded. Nevertheless, the public filing keeps animal welfare issues in the spotlight during what promises to be a contentious election season.