In Sweden there are about 15,000 farms with cattle. Of these, less than 10 per cent were controlled by the County Administrative Boards in 2019. In total, Assignment Review has found 210 farms around the country who received one or more injunctions last year for violating animal welfare legislation. Several of these were threatened with fines.

Audit assignments can now also reveal that six of the pet owners who violated the Animal Protection Act last year and received an order from the County Administrative Boards at the same time are elected representatives within the LRF - both at the regional board and at the municipal group level.

 “Must set a good example”

In addition, it turns out that one of the elected officials has been convicted of animal cruelty and one has recently been accused of animal cruelty.

“Elected representatives in the LRF should set a good example. We take on the information you have presented and will discuss any measures, ”writes Palle Borgström, chair of LRF in an email to Assignment Review.

Skinny and sick animals

In many of the total 210 cases, this is the same problem as the Hälsingland farm revealed by the Assignment Review in January. Dirty animals with manure armor, lean animals with underholes and sick animals. Misfortunes that both the County Administrative Board's veterinarians and veterinarians classify as suffering for the animals.

LRF has previously commented on the disclosure of Arlagården with the fact that it was an individual case. When they find out about the survey and the 210 cases Assignment review found, LRF still thinks that these are "a marginal phenomenon".

- Based on all the farms there is still not the general picture. Everything you enumerate is one that should not occur and improvement is needed.