The Future of Agriculture

The old second chamber of the Danish parliament, Landstingssalen, in Christiansborg will be completely filled when Eva Kjer Hansen opens the international conference concerning visions for future agricultural policy on Thursday, April 24. More than 200 Danish and international leading politicians, citizens, and interest organisations from the agricultural and foodstuff industries have chosen to participate in the debate regarding the visions that will come to characterise the development of European agriculture.

The Government wants to eliminate agricultural subsidies by 2025
The Danish Government’s message is clear. The Government wants to create a solid foundation for developing the future of agriculture in a free market. The EU’s direct agricultural aid should be gradually reduced and should, in principal, be able to be completely phased out by 2025. Instead of spending money on direct agricultural aid, it would be better used to benefit nature and the environment. Parallel with phasing out direct agricultural aid, emphasis must be placed on innovation, growth and development, and education, especially within the fields of energy and the climate. The Government has just sent its consultation paper regarding needs for the future EU budget to the EU Commission, which is in the process of a midway evaluation of the EU budget.

Debate on the visions for a dynamic and sustainable industry
- We must maintain a common agricultural policy, but it must be organised differently. It is important to me that we reach a shared understanding of how we, over time, can create a positive framework for developing agriculture. It is no secret that there are many different attitudes towards agricultural policy in the different European countries. It is my ambition that the conference will show the direction of the way the European Common Agricultural Policy is heading, says Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Eva Kjer Hansen.

The conference is to take place Thursday, April 24 from 13:00 to 17:00 in the Landstingssal, Christiansborg. Arrival and accreditation begins at 12:00.

Read the program and download a presentation after the conference at the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries’ website:

• www.fvm.dk/fremtidenslandbrugspolitik

Read the Danish Government’s consultation response regarding the EU’s financial framework

• The Danish Government’s consultation response

Contact: Head of Section Peter Hallenberg
peha@fvm.dk
+ 45 33 92 20 58