June 25th, 2024
After several months of negotiations between the Danish government, farming groups, other organizations and a nature conservation group, a Danish carbon tax on farm emissions is now a reality. Denmark is the first country in the world to put a levy on agriculture, including biological processes from farm animals.
There are some positive elements in the new agreement according to the Secretary General of the Vegetarian Society of Denmark. However, it is necessary for the agreement to initiate a structural transformation of agriculture if it is to have a sufficient impact on the gigantic meat industry in Denmark.
On Monday evening, the green tripartite (the government-commissioned group consisting of different organizations behind the deal) came up with an agreement intended to restore the ailing Danish nature, restore biodiversity, and help the countrys dead fjords and streams. Simultaneously, it allows for continued agricultural production in Denmark.
In connection with the agreement, Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl, Secretary General of the central Danish plant-based actor Vegetarian Society of Denmark, points out that there is still a significant imbalance in support schemes for animal versus plant-based production – an imbalance that the agreement maintains and actively supports.
“The agreement acknowledges that Danish meat and dairy production pollutes the climate, nature and environment, and that large areas should be given back to nature. On the other hand, we continue to pour money into technological solutions for intensive animal production, whereas the most effective solution to the climate and environmental problems – namely the conversion to plant-based production directly for human consumption – receives a significantly smaller amount.
“It is positive that Denmark is the first country in the world to introduce a climate tax on farm animals. For it has been well-known for decades that farm animals are a huge burden on both the climate and the water environment. Thus, the agreement sends a clear signal to the rest of the world that the planet cannot sustain all these farm animals. However, there is a need for a much larger amount to be allocated to the transition to plant-based foods. Billions have been allocated to technology within the current animal system, but only an extra 45 million DKK to the Plant Fund. It is imbalanced,” says Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl.
Land Withdrawal Could Worsen Deforestation in South America
He adds that researchers across Danish universities have pointed out that investments in the billions are needed in the plant-based sector in Denmark. Otherwise, we will not achieve a true transition and a sustainable future for Danish agriculture.
“Taxpayers and the rest of society will end up footing the bill to maintain an enormous industrial animal sector that cannot compete on fair terms, and that is a huge burden on both the climate, the water environment, biodiversity, and animal welfare. Also, if we take land out of production but do not transition from animal to plant-based production, we increase feed imports and thus deforestation in South America,” says Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl.
Denmark is a small country with a huge pork production and is also the most cultivated country in the world with 61% of Denmark’s total area cultivated. Right now, the most intensive industrial animal foods are supported with billions, while plant-based producers only receive a fraction.
“Unfortunately, this imbalance continues with the new agreement, which sends even more billions to the current animal system. Those billions should go to the plant-based foods of the future,” says Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl.