Document type: news from Eurogroup for Animals
Author: Dyrenes Beskyttelse
Preview: When veterinarians from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration visit poultry farmers, cattle farmers, or pig farmers for inspections, they go to make sure that all animal welfare rules are being followed. No such supervisory measures currently exist for farmed fish in Danish aquaculture, and that is a major legal oversight according to Animal Protection Denmark.
"New research shows that fish are highly developed, sentient beings, capable of feeling pain and suffering. Therefore, it should be a matter of course to implement animal welfare supervision for fish. Furthermore, there should be species-specific rules in place for breeding to protect fish from suffering "
Nicolaj Lindeborgh, Biologist, Fish and Fish Welfare Consultant at Animal Protection Denmark
In a response to the Danish Parliament's Environment and Food Committee, Minister Rasmus Prehn has confirmed that fish are to be seen as sentient beings. Yet animal welfare supervision is reserved exclusively for organically farmed fish, accounting for just 2 percent of around 50 million farmed fish in Denmark.
The Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries has developed a proposal for a new Danish aquaculture strategy that has been distributed for public hearing. One of the central aims of the strategy is that "the Danish aquaculture sector continues sustainable growth in production." But there is no mention as to how the authorities will ensure the welfare of many millions of animals involved.
Animal Protection Denmark asserts that the strategy should include and highlight fish welfare.
Animal Protection Denmark does not accept a lack of knowledge as a legitimate excuse for a lack of action.
In its proposal, the Ministry writes that a much bigger part of the Danish production of fish is to take place in recirculating aquaculture facilities on land. Recirculating facilities typically have a much higher density of fish than both traditional pond farming and sea farming. According to Animal Protection Denmark, this would only increase the need for animal welfare supervision.
The Danish Government's aquaculture strategy is scheduled to enter into force later this year and set to apply for the next five years.