Today’s news / Farmers criticize extension of fallow requirements
The chairman of Agriculture & Food, Søren Søndergaard, calls the extension of the fallow scheme in Denmark an "unnecessary own goal by the government". (Archive photo). Photo: Thomas Traasdahl/Ritzau Scanpix

Farmers criticize extension of fallow requirements

Despite the EU dropping the fallow land requirement of at least four percent, Denmark’s Minister of Green Tripartite Jeppe Bruus announced its continuation into 2025. This decision has been met with disapproval from the agricultural sector. The industry organization Agriculture & Food has denounced the move as an unnecessary self-goal, highlighting alternative methods for promoting environment and biodiversity. The organization’s chairman, Søren Søndergaard, argues that this policy disadvantages Danish farmers competitively and fails to provide lasting benefits for flora and fauna. For the future, Bruus suggests a shift towards targeted land conversion post-2025 aligning with green tripartite intentions, including significant eco-friendly land reformation. The green tripartite agreement, still not passed in Parliament, aims for a targeted approach involving intelligent, localized solutions and the expertise of landowners. Agriculture & Food is lobbying for the brakelands requirement to be discontinued after 2025.