Denmark Plans New Animal Welfare Agency and Tougher Penalties

Denmark is tightening animal welfare rules across the country. The government plans to create a new inspection agency. It will also increase farm inspections by 50 percent. Maximum prison sentences for severe animal abuse will rise to six years. This reform follows criticism over a backlog of 1,500 pending farm visits. The new measures affect livestock farmers, consumers, and pet owners.

Justice Minister Nicolai Wammen presented the emergency plan on Tuesday. The plan will cost 160 million Danish kroner every year when fully implemented. Livestock owners will pay for the extra enforcement costs. Future farm visits will usually feature two inspectors rather than one. More visits will happen without any advance warning to farm owners. The package targets pig farms, cattle, poultry, and other livestock animals.

The changes follow severe criticism from the National Audit Office in April 2026. A Justice Ministry review showed about 1,500 uncompleted inspections from recent years. Responsibility for animal welfare recently moved to the Justice Ministry. The new independent agency will hire extra staff to clear the backlog. This story was originally reported by Copenhagen Post.