Denmark’s incoming Social Democrat government has agreed with its centre-left partners to double organic food consumption and production in the country by 2030.
As anticipated, climate change, ecology and the wider ‘green transition’ have been placed at the heart of new legislation and policy by the Social Democrats.
Organic Denmark, called the development “a historic breakthrough for organic”, bringing with it benefits for nature, the environment and water quality in Denmark.
The association also praises the agreement’s wider ambitions for climate change, and a new agricultural policy in the EU that focuses on public goods.
“We are now looking forward to the coming collaboration on the development of a new Danish organic policy, which can realise the ambitious goals and maintain Denmark’s status a the world’s leading organic country,” says Paul Holmbeck, Organic Denmark’s political director of the Organic Land Association.
While giving the announcement a warm welcome, Holmbeck said that wider agricultural reforms were needed.
“ (the new direction) …requires new investments in innovation, market development and research. New knowledge, new markets and new innovative solutions must support the organic farmers, companies and food professionals in driving the climate change and creating new jobs in the food industry. Organic stands on three pillars: the market, innovation and and proactive organic policy.”
Per Kølster, chairman of the Organic Land Association, added: “It is crucial that the government addresses climate and biodiversity challenges in a major restructuring in agriculture. And in that work, organic must, to a much greater extent than today, be actively involved in both the forthcoming climate policy and agricultural reform, since organic simultaneously delivers a series of sustainability goals, such as nature and clean drinking water.
