The Danish government continues its previously adopted course towards reducing bureaucracy in European regulations. The emphasis is on lowering administrative burdens for businesses and citizens.
Another key theme is strengthening food security. Denmark wants to accelerate European decision-making on allowing new gene technologies in agriculture. There are significant disagreements on this among EU countries and within the European Parliament, but Denmark hopes to reach an agreement in the coming months.
The future of the Common Agricultural Policy is also on the agenda. Efforts are being made to eliminate outdated rules and to enhance innovation and sustainability in the sector. However, the Danes have so far refrained from commenting on contentious issues such as the threatened cuts to the European agricultural budget.
Denmark is preparing a new tax system domestically aimed at greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. This so-called 'tripartite model' has been developed in collaboration with Danish farmers’ organizations and trade unions. The tax would come into effect in Denmark starting in 2030. Such a pollution tax could also be introduced in the EU.
According to the Danish agricultural trade magazine Landbrugsavisen, Danish farmers fear this tax will harm their competitive position. Although the Danish plan includes compensation and support for innovation, concerns remain about the economic impact on the agricultural middle sector.
At the same time, resistance against environmental regulations in agriculture is growing in other parts of Europe. Farmers’ protests against obligations under the Green Deal are becoming louder, and various interest groups advocate postponing or abolishing climate measures that restrict their operations.
Within the European Parliament, political pressure is increasing to review Green Deal obligations. More and more parties want to ease or postpone climate rules. Denmark will therefore have to navigate between ambitions for sustainability and the political support within the EU during its presidency.