Denmark Won't Alter Culture to Please Migrants; Will Ensure Pork Is Listed on Public Inst. Menus

In Denmark -- a country with more pigs than human beings -- pork has become the latest element of a debate that has been declared a culture war, in an effort to limit Muslim migrants and lessen their impact on Danish society, the Washington Post website reports today (January 21, 2016).

The city council of Randers this week made it mandatory for public institutions -- including cafeterias in kindergartens and daycare centers -- to have pork dishes on their menus. The council members said that their decision was an effort to preserve Danish identity and culture  -- including pork meals which are consumed by most Danes.

Pork -- which is usually not eaten by observant Jews and Muslims -- is central to the Danish food industry. The Danish Agriculture and Food Council states that the consumption and export of pork are crucial to Denmark's economy. There are some 5,000 pig farms in Denmark, with several million animals.

The decision in Randers is likely to please anti-Islamic lobby groups. Although the city council stressed that it did not want to force Muslims or Jews to eat food that contradicts their religious beliefs, some considered the decision a message to refugees and other migrants that Denmark was unwilling to give up parts of its culture to accommodate others.