The World Summit in Johannesburg and Denmark's National Strategy for Sustainable Development

The World Summit in Johannesburg and Denmark's National Strategy for Sustainable Development

Agriculture

Agriculture uses a great deal of the area of Denmark. Agricultural production should be in balance with nature and multiple forms of land use should be maintained.

The Johannesburg Plan highlights sustainable agriculture and development in rural districts as a precondition to ensuring food supplies in an environmentally sustainable manner

In the mid-term evaluation of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, Denmark has worked for market orientation of EU agricultural policy.The result was a reform that secures a partial decoupling of production and subsidies and which promotes sustainable production of food.The Reform links payment of subsidies with requirements to comply with standards for the environment and food safety, animal and plant health, and animal welfare, and the requirement to keep all agricultural areas in good agricultural and environmental condition (cross compliance). Furthermore, rural policy is strengthened in content and financially.

The Government places priority on multiple use of agricultural land with considerations for nature, the environment, and landscape values as well as continued settlement and development of rural districts. Subsidy schemes under the Rural Districts Programme for MVJ (agro-environmental schemes) and organic farming have been developed in 2002-2003 so that they become more flexible and attractive for farmers.

The mid-term evaluation will be completed of the Danish Rural Districts Programme 2000-2006 before the end of 2003. Partly on the basis of the EU reform and the mid-term evaluation, the Danish government will consider how to renew the Rural Districts Programme in order to promote sustainable development in rural districts.