News release
For immediate release
Danish Animal Welfare Problems Must Not be Ignored Brussels, Belgium, 08 November 2002: A concluding statement issued by the organisers of the International Symposium in Foulum, Denmark on “growth promoting” antibiotics fails to mention the serious animal welfare concerns raised during the two-day meeting. Both veterinarians and pig producer representatives from Denmark presented real-life evidence of increased health problems in Danish pigs and chickens following the ban on the “growth promoting” antibiotics in 1999. The official conclusions from the Symposium also fail to address the fact that none of the human health experts could identify the cause for the recent increase in Denmark of human salmonella and campylobacter cases.
The animal health industry understands the European Union’s philosophical concerns regarding the use of antibiotics in farming, but wants to ensure that any ban is carried out in a managed way. Lessons from Denmark show that if this is not the case, animal welfare and human health can suffer. It is therefore disappointing that the Danish organisers, who could share the benefits of their experience, are choosing to overlook this evidence.
The selectivity of presented data was challenged from the floor during the conference as those present sought to more fully understand the significant lessons regarding the serious problems with animal health and increases in food borne pathogens in Denmark since the country banned the use of antibiotic “growth promoters” in 1999.
Mr. Edward Hird, Executive Board Member of FEDESA, said: “Any independent observer at the symposium would have heard first-hand the real life evidence put forward by pig producers and veterinarians about the persistent weaner pig problems in Denmark. Presenters stressed that the incidence of diarrhoea had risen significantly in young pigs and poultry experts said flocks were suffering from problems with litter quality, leg infections and skin lesions.”
The official release from the organisers of the Foulum symposium contains extracts from the opening address by Mariann Fischer-Boel, the Danish Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. Highlighting the fact that Denmark currently holds the EU Presidency and expressing her personal beliefs, the Minister says she would like to “extend the Danish experience to the other Member States.” The experience from Denmark is that animal welfare is suffering and that smaller farmers in Europe could face difficult times if similar policies are adopted in their countries in the absence of any recognized alternatives to AGPs.
Mr. Hird added: “Questions have to be asked about the agenda and motives behind the conference. How can the words ‘International’ and ‘Invitational’ be ascribed to a meeting that was dominated by speakers from Denmark, and ended in a closed gathering of a panel of experts from the World Health Organisation and the organisers themselves? What we have witnessed this week are the results of an admitted Danish political decision that the country now wants to roll across Europe and then the world. Politics should never be allowed to usurp scientific fact, especially under the auspices of the World Health Organization.”
In conclusion, Mr. Hird said: “Without comprehensive input from producers and other stakeholders, we are running the risk of setting a dangerous precedent for decision making. There are compelling reasons as to why the World Health Organisation needs to draw upon the vast experience and knowledge of all stakeholders, particularly in light of the serious problems being experienced in Denmark. Transplanting the Danish and Swedish farming models in other parts of the world could lead to disastrous consequences, especially for much poorer nations where food is in short supply.”
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