Denmark's Ethics Council urges a major shift toward organic farming practices. The council cites growing antibiotic resistance concerns in its new recommendation. It wants animal production systems completely redesigned to protect public health.
The council released a statement explaining its position. Ida Donkin, the council's vice chair, said current farming methods create ethical problems. She noted that animals often live in conditions that make them sick. Farmers then use antibiotics to compensate for these poor conditions. This practice threatens both animal welfare and human medicine.
Organic production methods would significantly improve animal welfare. They would also dramatically reduce antibiotic use in agriculture. The council fears common infections could become deadly if antibiotics lose effectiveness. Even minor infections might become serious threats to human health.
Specifically, the council suggests using organic pig production as a benchmark. Antibiotic levels in organic systems should become the standard for all agricultural production.
Industry group Agriculture & Food criticized the recommendation. Director Christian Fink Hansen called the report one-sided. He said it lacks necessary professional and practical insight. The report relies too heavily on interviews and workshop discussions according to Hansen. He argued the council should have used more scientific contributions instead.
Animal Protection Denmark welcomed the council's statement. The organization highlighted that agriculture consumes most antibiotics in Denmark. Farms use 87 tons annually with pig farming as the largest consumer. This massive antibiotic use drives resistance development that endangers both animals and humans.
The Ethics Council also emphasized needed improvements in the healthcare sector. Denmark already has among Europe's lowest antibiotic consumption rates. But the council warns these levels are now increasing.
This debate reflects broader tensions in Danish agriculture. The industry balances productivity against environmental and health concerns. Organic farming represents about 13% of Denmark's agricultural land. The country leads Europe in organic food consumption per capita.
Antibiotic resistance causes approximately 400 deaths annually in Denmark. Global health organizations consider it one of humanity's greatest threats. The World Health Organization predicts resistance could cause 10 million deaths worldwide by 2050.
Danish farmers reduced antibiotic use by 25% between 2010 and 2020. But the Ethics Council argues these reductions don't go far enough. The recommendation comes as the European Union implements stricter agricultural regulations.
International readers should understand Denmark's unique agricultural position. The country exports about 90% of its pork production. Any production changes affect global food markets. Denmark also pioneered antibiotic use monitoring in the 1990s.
The council's recommendation lacks legal force but carries political weight. It often influences government policy and public debate. The agriculture minister will likely respond to the recommendation in coming weeks.