Brussels, 21 August 2024
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a Danish scheme, with a budget of approximately €20 million (DKK 151 million), to support higher animal welfare standards for pigs.
The scheme is aimed at supporting pig farmers in the implementation of preventive measures that reduce the risk of tail-biting among pigs, which results from stress and sub-optimal living conditions of pigs, and that help avoid the need of tail-docking (the shortening of tails) of piglets. The preventive measures supported by the scheme include extra supervision, extra feeding and drinking places, and improved housing conditions.
The scheme will run until 31 December 2029 and will be open to pig farmers in Denmark. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants and subsidised services (such as training and development activities) and will cover up to 100% of eligible costs.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State Aid rules, in particular under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the 2023 Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to achieve the objective pursued, namely the promotion of animal welfare in the pork livestock sector, while supporting the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Farm to Fork Strategy. Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the scheme is proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and will have a limited impact on competition and trade in the EU. On this basis, the Commission approved the Danish scheme under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.114488 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
Source – EU Commission