Nine recommendations for the future of Danish food production

1. Better space for animals and less emissions

All animals must have access to outdoor areas, and the possibility of introducing limits on the number of animals per hectare must be investigated. This will reduce environmental impact, strengthen animal welfare and increase health in production.

2. Restructuring Fund for agriculturewho want to get out of animal production

A new fund – established in collaboration between the state and pension funds – will help agriculturewho want to convert from animal to plant-based production.

3. Phasing out soy imports in 2035

Denmark will phase out soy imports and instead support farmers who grow Danish protein-rich crops. A pool of DKK 800 million will ensure the transition and strengthen feed production based on Danish raw materials.

4. Public procurement must follow dietary guidelines

The state, regions and municipalities must require that their kitchens follow dietary guidelines and use at least 90 percent organic or foods with a low climate footprint. Public kitchens must take the lead in this green transition.

5. EU income support is replaced by rewards for green performance

Direct hectare support and coupled support should be converted into payment for concrete results on climate, water environment, biodiversity and animal welfare – especially to provide smaller and new agriculture better conditions.

6. Remove VAT on organic products

Organic food should be exempt from VAT. This will increase demand, improve health, create better animal welfare and help Denmark achieve its goals of more organic and plant-based production.

7. Regulation and phasing out of pesticides

A national program will develop alternatives to pesticides. An innovation fund of DKK 150 million annually for ten years will support new technologies and strengthen the export of pesticide-free solutions.

8. Strengthened export strategy for plant-based foods

Denmark must have a comprehensive national strategy for plant-based exports so that the country can take advantage of the growing global markets, where demand is increasing significantly.

9. New food fund for green transition

The public support that is still provided through the Alcohol Tax Fund to of agriculture own production levy funds for animal production, will be pooled into a new food fund that will finance the development, research and marketing of organic and plant-based products.

Statements from members of the green growth team

Britta Riis, director of the Danish Animal Protection Agency:

-Denmark has a very large potential to become a pioneering country that globally shows the way to the development of a food production, which creates life in the countryside, better conditions for both the animals in production and the wild animals, and much greater biodiversity.

Charlotte Skovgaard, CEO of Merkur Cooperative Bank:

-We see ecology as the cornerstone of a holistic strategy for climate, biodiversity and animal welfare. As a financial institution for a significant part of Denmark's organic and biodynamic agriculture, we want politicians to look towards precisely those agriculture, which produces with respect for nature, and that incentives are given for even more to join in. The recommendations of the green growth team are exactly in line with that approach.

Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl, Secretary General of the Danish Vegetarian Association:

Growth must take place within planetary boundaries, and plant-based foods are the strongest guarantee of this. We have skilled plant-based food companies and hardworking farmers in Denmark, and they need solid political frameworks and investments that can give the plant-based industry the wings to fly. We will not get more nature in the world without a shift towards a food production, which can feed more people in less space. That is, a more plant-based food production.

Jeppe Juul, head of secretariat, Green Transition Denmark:

-With these recommendations we can develop a agriculture, which both produces more plant-based food, becomes free from its dependence on imported soy and no longer uses harmful pesticides. The food system we have today has too big consequences for the climate, environment, biodiversity and health. It is crucial to change direction. And here the EU plays a role agricultural support play a major role. At the same time, we must support the many good forces that are already in the process of converting to more organic farming and in other ways are farming with greater consideration for the soil, the aquatic environment and the climate, and are helping to strengthen the local environment.

Stella Staunstrup, Head of Secretariat, Plant Industry:

-It is clear to anyone with eyes that we need a new path for Danish food production. We simply need to prioritize differently than we do today, and invest massively in a better future. A very obvious tool to achieve this task is to make public meals follow the dietary guidelines. This will create a larger domestic market for plant proteins, reduce our enormous consumption of animal products and concretely show the Danes that a plant-rich plate is both delicious and filling. The plant industry has the solutions.

Rasmus Dose Sandorff, leader of the Ecological Youth Movement:

-A development of the Danish agriculture and food system towards a holistic, natural and agro-ecological food system is crucial for both the climate, the environment, the animals and ourselves. Young farmers, chefs, consumers and food professionals work for development every day. But if we want to achieve our goals, it also requires political action.

Sarah Hellebek, board member Andelsgaarde:

-There is no time to waste when it comes to the conversion of Danish agricultureWith the recommendations we can support agriculture on the path to a fair food system and helping a new generation enter the profession.

Marie Sainabou Jeng, founder and program director at Madland:

The food system of the future is already here. Every day, thousands of small-scale actors across the value chain are working on innovation and solutions that create new agriculture, products, food shops, eateries, meals and communities for change. They are role models for a reimagined food system that benefits citizens and society and promotes health, climate, biodiversity, animal welfare, well-being and the economy. A better food country is within reach, which is why we support the green recommendations to the Government for the food system of the future.

August Hermann, project manager Øm Klostergaard:

-At Øm Klostergaard we see how agriculture can become part of the solution when understood as a living ecosystem and a shared responsibility. We support the recommendations of the green growth team because it points to a new concept of growth, where healthy soil, clean water and strong local communities are the foundation of the economy of the future.

Kim Qvist, Director of Danish Organic Soil:

-Good and relevant recommendations, which must now be linked to a sustainable generational change, access to land, combined with new forms of ownership, here the state should play a central role.

Cecilie Engvang Lund, Co-founder & COO Tempty Foods:

-If Denmark is to succeed in the necessary transformation of food production, organic legislation must keep up with developments. Today, the rules are so strict that new climate-friendly technologies such as fermentation can hardly be certified as organic in practice. If we are to realise the report's ambition of a food system that is based on innovation, a low climate footprint and new production methods, it requires a modernisation of the framework for organic farming.

Henrik Christensen, CEO & Co-founder Perfect Season:

-If we don't want a country that makes our children and grandchildren sick in the future, organic farming must be the standard and not the option. That's why we need to make it much easier and more economical to switch to organic farming everywhere.

You can read more about the recommendations here: Green growth team