The matter in summary Pig farmers believe that pigs on pasture must receive the same subsidy as other grazing animals. The Minister of Agriculture replies that until now it has not been a topic in the agricultural settlement to give grazing supplements to animals that cannot digest grass. The fattening pigs of the Høglund couple in Uvdal graze on herbs, grass, leaves and roots, and are also given organic concentrate. MDG will work politically to ensure that grazing subsidies are paid for keeping pigs outside. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – We were getting married, and needed meat for the wedding. This is how Johan Høglund explains how he and his wife Urda Ljøterud Høglund started pig farming on their farm in Uvdal. They started with five fattening pigs, which added more flavor in several ways. Johan Høglund and Urda Ljøterud Høglund are calling for grazing supplements for outdoor pigs. Photo: Tordis Gauteplass This season, the married couple have 22 pigs walking in the fenced outfield. As the pigs root up the soil, the fence is moved to new “unlogged land”. Here they grunt and gas themselves in the sun and pig weather from early June until they are ready for slaughter in the autumn. – For us, it is important that the animals are well. Johan looks beyond his flock. Some chew on what grows on the ground, another has gotten loose on a tree root deep in the ground. The rest lie down and relax. Life is too short not to be enjoyed. A happy pig has curls on its back. Photo: Tordis Gauteplass / news – These pigs are doing well, he concludes. Urda agrees: – They are satisfied when they have curls on their tails. Numedølane runs organic meat and milk production. They receive a grazing allowance for their cows. But for the pigs, they get nothing. Domestic pigs/pigs are descended from the wild boar. Photo: Tordis Gauteplass / news – No, there aren’t exactly government calls to start with outdoor pigs, sighs Johan. – I myself want this. Today, the State grants grazing subsidies to sheep, goats, cattle, horses, deer, alpacas and llamas. Gets support from the Animal Protection Alliance There are no reliable figures, but there are probably less than 100 farms that have free-range pigs in Norway today. The Animal Protection Alliance believes it is important to let the pigs out. The animals become active when they are allowed to live in environments where they can root, dig and investigate. – This means that there is less bullying and irritation between the pigs. Imagine yourself; in a small cabin with the extended family it is easier to start arguing than in a big house, says Live Kleveland, communications manager at the Animal Protection Alliance. Live Kleveland, communications manager at Dyrevernalliansen. Photo: Ihne Pedersen / news – The pig is actually a grazing animal, and motivated to use its snout in the field and bite at things it finds. Getting the chance to do what you were created for is good for everyone. The Animal Protection Alliance has proposed its own animal welfare subsidy. – It can be awarded to farmers who keep free-range pigs or who in other ways give the animals significantly better conditions, says Kleveland. No couch pigs Urda considers a couple of its hard-working Christmas rib candidates. The fact that they kill the weeds is a big advantage. Then you don’t have to spray with chemicals. – Look how they dig for the roots! It’s great to get rid of croaks this way. “Do I find anything good here, then?” Photo: Tordis Gauteplass / news A well-known Danish proverb reads: “Et, my pig – tomorrow you will be slaughtered”. The main task is, as for most pigs, to grow and put on weight. In addition to the goodies they find in the pasture, they have free access to organic concentrate. The Minister of Agriculture responds Agriculture and Food Minister Geir Pollestad says that he thinks it is good that farmers adopt new forms of operation. He knows that this is something consumers want. Agriculture and Food Minister Geir Pollestad (Sp) is aware that several people have pigs on pasture. Photo: Odd Rune Kyllingstad / news When asked why subsidies are not given to pigs on pasture, the minister replies: – In the agricultural settlement so far, it has not been a topic to give pasture subsidies for animals that cannot digest grass. This subsidy is given to ruminants who, during the grazing season, harvest most of their feed themselves, through grazing. Urda Høglund does not agree that the pig does not benefit from grass. – Not many people are aware of it, but pigs actually graze when they go out. They eat both herbs, grass, leaves and roots. Norges Bondelag, which is one of the organizations behind the demand in the agricultural negotiations, is skeptical about changing the conditions for the grazing subsidy, says 1st deputy manager, Bodhild Fjelltveit. Bodhild Fjelltveit is 1st deputy leader of Norway’s farmers’ association. Photo: Norwegian Farmers’ Association But she emphasizes that the Farmers’ Association is a democratic organization that will promote what the majority of its members want. – Meat from outgoing pigs is an exclusive product, and if consumers are willing to pay what it costs to produce, we will do what we can to deliver, says Fjelltveit. MDG wants “more happy outdoor pigs” Following a proposal from Urda Ljøterud Høglund and local team leader Birgitte Sterud in Nore and Uvdal MDG, the national board of the Green Party has adopted four points they will work on politically: Birgitte Sterud is county leader in MDG Buskerud. Photo: private That a production subsidy is given for keeping pigs outside That species-specific requirements are drawn up for production subsidies for keeping pigs That the subsidy for keeping pigs is high enough to stimulate a transition from indoor to outside keeping of pigs That meat from outgoing pigs gets the quality mark In 2023, a total of 361,611 tonnes of slaughter was approved as food in Norway. 131,163 tonnes of this was pork, according to Statistics Norway. Photo: Tordis Gauteplass / news – It would have been nice if better regulations were also put in place, says Urda. The pigs need supervision, and a lot of preparation is required for them to be safe and well in the field. Outdoor pigs are more exposed to disease than their relatives who live indoors. Johan and Urda Høglund’s pigs are therefore vaccinated. Johan Høglund would like to see a rule change. Photo: Tordis Gauteplass / news Johan believes that the meat from grazing pigs gets a slightly different color and a better, fresher taste. – Now I’m probably not completely objective, he chuckles. But the couple notices an increasing interest in their pork. – We hardly need to do anything to sell it. More and more people seem to be concerned with how the animals have fared and what they have eaten, conclude the farmers in Numedal. Published 02.09.2024, at 17.22
ttn-69
The state gives grazing subsidies to deer, alpacas and llamas, but not to pigs – news Buskerud – Local news, TV and radio
