
Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke (S) has not wished to do an interview with DR, which describes an illegal practice in the Ministry of the Environment. For years, the Ministry has permitted the discharge of environmentally harmful substances in violation of the law, writes DR. (Archive photo). Photo: Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix
Illegal practices in ministry: Environmental harm
Denmark’s Ministry of Environment allowed illegal prioritization of business interests over environmental concerns, permitting harmful substance discharge by companies like Cheminova, reports DR. Experts, including law professor emerita Ellen Margrethe Basse, state this contravenes EU legislation. The issue revolves around allowed chemical releases into already polluted waters, violating EU’s Water Framework Directive. Ministry staff warned in 2019 that these actions could be deemed illegal by the EU Court of Justice. Despite accusations and calls for accountability by opposition parties, Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke did not comment, but the ministry denies breaching the law.