The controversial practice of “blood farming” in Iceland continues to face mounting criticism, as the licence for the main operator is set to expire later this year. Around 4,000 pregnant mares are kept solely for the extraction of blood used to produce PMSG — a hormone widely used in pig farming across Central Europe, particularly Germany.
Animal welfare organisations have renewed calls for an end to the practice, especially given that PMSG can now be produced synthetically, eliminating the need for live animal extraction.
With the future of the industry now in the hands of the Icelandic parliament, campaigners are urging individuals to contact the Ministry of Industries and express their opposition before a new licence is potentially granted.
FEIF has submitted a formal letter to the ministry and hopes the government will take a decisive step toward ending the practice permanently.
You can read the letter here