Two responses to letters to the editor in Dagens Nyheter highlight opposing views on animal rights activists' proposals. Jonas Paulsson advocates gradual reforms to reduce the animal industry, while doctor Bernt Ersson warns of nutritional deficiencies without milk production.
On December 14, 2025, Dagens Nyheter published two responses to letters to the editor in the debate on animal rights and the animal industry. Jonas Paulsson, initiator of the 'Meat-Free Monday' campaign, criticizes animal rights activists for believing the animal industry can be abolished overnight. He proposes concrete political reforms such as a vegan norm, meat tax, and abolition of school milk to gradually reduce the industry.
In another response, Bernt Ersson, a licensed doctor, argues against the Animal Rights Alliance's proposal for all Swedish dairy farmers to shut down their operations. He describes the proposal as naive and unrealistic, warning that many Swedes would suffer from nutritional deficiencies even in peacetime if milk disappears. Ersson emphasizes the dairy industry's role in public health.
These responses reflect a broader debate in Sweden on sustainability, ethics, and nutrition in food production. Paulsson's perspective focuses on long-term changes to reduce animal dependency, while Ersson's warning highlights the risks of radical shutdowns. The debate underscores the need for balanced political solutions that consider both animal rights and human health.
