Views of the Danish agriculture and food industry

The farming and food industry in Denmark:

-          Has delivered the largest reduction of greenhouse gas emissions compared to other industries. The agricultural sector has reduced the emission of greenhouse gases by 26% since 1990.

-          Can help to additionally reduce total Danish emissions of greenhouse gases through targeted efforts in research and development, if focus is given to cost-effective measures.

-          Delivers climate-friendly products to clients and consumers worldwide.

-          Has made significant efforts in the aquatic environment and feed efficiency, thus benefitting the climate.

-          Has been a pioneer in energy savings in food-producing enterprises

The farming and food industry believes that

-          There should be a continued dynamic development in which environmental and climate efforts are integrated with maintaining international competitiveness and the growth of the Danish agriculture and food industry.

-          Overall solutions should be pursued that generate synergies in efforts concerning the climate, energy, the environment and nature, while maintaining a sustainable and competitive agricultural production.

-          Climate charges should be determined internationally. Additional specific burdens such as methane taxes on livestock will undermine the competitiveness of Danish goods and lead to a global increase in greenhouse gases.

-          Gains from producing bioenergy and other sustainable energies from agriculture, which contribute to meeting Denmark’s climate commitments, should be offset against the reduction obligations of Danish agriculture.

-          Society should encourage the use of bioenergy by, for instance, identifying placements for biogas plants, increasing the cultivation of perennial energy crops and encouraging research and development in second generation biofuels and the suchlike.

-          The annual energy tax expenditure of the Danish food industry should be used to develop reliable energy solutions, and to encourage food-producing enterprises to invest in energy savings through creating a company account.

-          The development of new plant varieties with higher drought tolerance and resistance to pests and plant diseases is paramount in securing future food production. This applies both to gene technology and processing methods usable in organic production.

-          Research should contribute with reliable and profitable financial solutions such as technologies, processes and logistics that minimize the climate impact from the stable door to customers.  

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