A pig farmer in his 30s from Trøndelag has received a sentence of eight months in prison, with four months suspended, for three serious breaches of Norway's animal welfare law. This case is notable as it's the first time a farmer has been criminally held accountable for sending pigs that were unfit for transport to the slaughterhouse. The court found evidence of severe neglect, which led to the majority of the pigs being deemed unsuitable for slaughter after their arrival at the facility.

In January 2025, when the 82 pigs arrived at the Nortura slaughterhouse in Steinkjer, it was determined that 75 of the pigs had to be euthanized and disposed of immediately due to the extreme suffering they had experienced. The pigs were reportedly kept in an uninsulated shed with compost as their only heat source. The court observed that the animals were severely malnourished, with visible rib bones, many limping, and some had open wounds, indicating a significant level of neglect and poor husbandry practices.

The case has drawn attention both for its legal precedent and the implications for animal welfare standards in Norway. The local prosecutor indicated that the sentence was slightly more lenient than what was recommended, and it remains to be seen whether the state attorney will appeal the sentencing decision. This ruling signals a potential shift towards stricter enforcement of animal welfare regulations and could deter similar offenses in the agricultural sector, emphasizing the responsibility of farmers to maintain animal welfare throughout their practices.