Denmark’s Plan seeks the sustainable development of farming, food and rural areas while ensuring food security through a competitive agri-food sector. To reach this goal, continued modernisation and digitalisation, together with high environmental and climate standards, will be a key focus. This is due to a wide range of interventions aimed at contributing to environmental, economic and social sustainability. Denmark is also encouraging the green transition of the agricultural sector by supporting the setting up of bio-refineries for extraction of plant proteins from grass produced regionally. The refineries will have the potential to reduce dependence on imported soya, and respond to climate commitments which have been made. Under eco-schemes, almost 20% of direct payments are reserved for agricultural practices that go beyond the minimum requirements on agricultural areas and which are beneficial for the climate, environment and animal welfare.
Under rural development, about 19% of funds are reserved for farmers undertaking multi-annual management commitments benefitting nature and biodiversity, for example. To reverse biodiversity loss and in line with the Green Deal ambitions, Denmark aims to double the area for organic farming by 2030 by providing support to around 403 000 ha. Afforestation is also supported in the Plan with EUR 28 million.
In addition, the Plan provides support for innovative investment aimed at the green transition of agriculture, with a special focus on digital technologies that can make it possible. EUR 12 million is dedicated to supporting different types of investments. For example, new digital farming technologies will help to improve competitiveness, as well as the environment and climate performance of Danish agriculture
