Danish farmer reports malformations, ill health in pigs fed GM soy

Danish farmer reports malformations, ill health in pigs fed GM soy

For our upcoming documentary, we've been documenting serious health problems in US livestock fed GMOs, and astonishing recoveries when the animals switch to non-GMO diets. An example of such effects were recently reported by Danish pig farmer lb Borup Pedersen, who has gone public with revelations that GM soy feed had devastating effects on the health of his animals and on his farming profitability. On GM soy, his pigs suffered a higher disease and death rate, and a large number of birth defects. Many of the malformations were of the same type as those found in babies born in GM soy-producing regions of South America, which are linked with Roundup exposure.

When Mr Pedersen switched to non-GM soy starting in April 2011, within two days, his pigs' massive problems with diarrhea virtually disappeared. Death from ulcers and bloat, which had claimed 36 sows (out of about 450) over the previous two years, also vanished. And deaths from loss of appetite dropped from 2 the previous year, to zero. The average number of piglets born per sow over an eight month period also jumped by about 2 pigs (from 28.1 to 29.9).

Mr Pedersen said that though non-GM soy was more expensive, the extra cost was more than compensated for by the lower medication costs for his healthier non-GM-fed pigs. And he needs less man hours. He is now making about $100 more profit per pig than when feeding GM soy.

The Danish newspaper that broke the story carried an editorial arguing that it would be irresponsible for the authorities to ignore the discoveries made by the farmer. Read a report on the farmer's experience and that of a second Danish farmer here: [Read the Report]

Ib Pedersen has placed online a video of one malformed piglet. Please be warned that many people will find this video extremely distressing. [Watch the Video]