The food minister Dan Jørgensen has had a busy and expensive week, proposing a number of initiatives for the benefit of Denmark’s livestock and wildlife.
Propitious pigs …
Last week he earmarked 50 million kroner to be invested in the construction of more modern barns to provide about 30,000 sows with more space and better living conditions.
Farmers will be able to apply for subsidies this year to build farrowing pens in which sows are free to move about.
Fortunate fish …
Next, he turned his attention to Denmark’s lakes, rivers and coastal waters and unveiled a 40 million kroner plan to improve fish populations and allow for better fishing opportunities.
A new app and website will make it possible for leisure fishermen to report their catches to provide more knowledge about the fish in Danish waters and lead to an enhanced foundation for future fishery management.
Lucky lab rats
And not forgetting the animals that aid pursuits in science, Jørgensen revealed four research projects that will improve conditions for research animals.
The 1.4 million kroner projects focus on reducing the suffering endured by animals involved in research and developing for alternatives to using animals in research.
And the charmed chickens
But why stop there? Jørgensen went on this week to announce that he is earmarking 40 million kroner to promote chicken coops that pollute less and better the living conditions of animals in the poultry industry.
“The projects show that animal welfare and environmental initiatives can easily go hand in hand with a good ability to compete,” he said in a press release.
