We are farmers who say yes to the fertilization law and distance ourselves from bully tactics.
Økologisk NuOle Kjærulff Davidsen and Anders Led Behrend, respectively chairman and vice-chairman, Free Farmers - Living Land Agriculture & Food takes it upon itself to speak entirely on behalf of the entire agricultural sector when the organization demands that the fertilization law be taken off the table. Free Farmers - Living Land points out that Agriculture & Food does not represent a majority among Denmark's farmers. Instead, both financial institutions and manufacturing industries are part of its membership. The vast majority of owners of agricultural enterprises in Denmark are either members of another organization or are unorganized. The Farmers', Smallholders', and Rural Districts Association, Free Farmers - Living Land, supports the adoption of the fertilization law. We do so even though it is not ideal. Neither the content of the law nor the timing of its adoption can come as a surprise. Moreover, the situation is so serious that it would be irresponsible to delay the necessary restructuring any further. Based on experience, it is not expected that concrete legislation that truly changes something will be accepted by Agriculture & Food, despite the organization itself having approved the draft of the fertilization law. In our view, it is necessary to confront the issue now and not be intimidated by threats to boycott the tripartite process, thereby blocking the necessary transition. Free Farmers - Living Land trusts that the government will subsequently ensure the necessary adjustments and compensations, as has always been planned. Transition will specifically attract people As a final trump card, rural areas have been highlighted. However, it is not our assessment that improved regulation of nutrient emissions would make Denmark more divided; quite the opposite. With a transition in agriculture, rural areas will become more attractive places to live, and there will be better space for other industries, many of which can benefit from a restructured agriculture. In this context, it must also be expected that the government will fulfill its responsibility and follow the government’s foundation, which promises to "support development, (...) where we become better at processing food products domestically, maintain jobs in Denmark, and create development that benefits neighbors and local communities." (p.11) and target agricultural support to "e.g., climate, environmental, and nature initiatives, regenerative production, organic production, development of local and small-scale farms, and making it easier for new farmers to take over and develop farms." (p.12). Free Farmers - Living Land expects the government to stand by its promises of radical initiatives for the benefit of agriculture and rural areas. Bullying methods harm agriculture Confrontational rhetoric and actions that disturb innocent outsiders should be strongly discouraged in this situation. Name-calling and bullying methods only harm agriculture, which today is not in a position to make ultimatums or threaten anything. In this regard, the leaders of the actions on September 1st are at odds with large parts of the agricultural sector itself. What we all need is a broad conversation about who should be involved when creating the food systems of the future. The question is not who can be heard, but who should be listened to. For the transition to succeed, there is a need for the involvement of all stakeholders—those affected by the issue and those who can contribute positively to balanced solutions, whether they are small producers and traders, environmental organizations, research communities, or future generations of farmers. Therefore, Free Farmers - Living Land urges the government and the political parties that continue to support the tripartite process to contact representatives of the agricultural sector that is willing to engage in constructive dialogue aimed at implementing the necessary restructuring of Danish agriculture and the Danish food system.
By Ole Kjærulff Davidsen and Anders Led Behrend, respectively chairman and vice-chairman, Free Farmers - Living Land
Agriculture & Food unjustifiably claims to speak on behalf of the entire agricultural sector when the organization demands that the fertilization law be taken off the table. Free Farmers - Living Land points out that Agriculture & Food does not represent a majority among Denmark's farmers. Instead, both financial institutions and manufacturing industry are part of the membership base.
The vast majority of owners of agricultural holdings in Denmark are either members of another organization or not organized.
The Farmers', Smallholders', and Rural Districts Association, Free Farmers - Living Land, supports the adoption of the fertilization law. We do so even though it is not ideal. Neither the content of the law nor the timing of its adoption can, however, come as a surprise. The situation is also so serious that it would be irresponsible to delay the necessary restructuring any further.
Learned from experience, it is not expected that concrete legislation that seriously changes anything will be accepted by Agriculture & Food, despite the fact that the organization itself has approved the draft of the fertilization law. In our view, it is necessary to confront this now and not be intimidated by threats to boycott the tripartite process and thus block the necessary transition.
Free Farmers - Living Land trust that the government will subsequently ensure the necessary adjustments and compensations, as has always been planned.
Transition will actually attract people
As a final trump card, rural areas have been brought forward. However, it is not our assessment that improved regulation of nutrient emissions would make Denmark more unattractive; rather, the opposite. With a transition of agriculture, rural areas will become more attractive places to live, and there will be better space for other industries, many of which will have synergies with a transformed agriculture.
In this context as well, it must be expected that the government will live up to its responsibility and follow the government’s foundation, where it promises to "support a development, (...) where we become better at processing food products domestically, retain jobs in Denmark, and create a development that also benefits neighbors and local communities." (p.11) and target agricultural support to “e.g., climate, environmental, and nature initiatives, regenerative production, organic production, development of local and small-scale farms, and making it easier for new farmers to take over and develop farms.” (p.12).
Free Farmers - Living Land expects the government to stand by its promises of radical initiatives for the benefit of agriculture and rural areas.
Bullying methods harm agriculture
Confrontational rhetoric and actions that disturb innocent outsiders should be strongly discouraged in this situation. Name-calling and bullying methods only harm agriculture, which today is not in a position to make ultimatums—or threaten anything. In this regard, the leaders of the actions on September 1st are at odds with large parts of the agricultural sector itself.
What we all need is a broad conversation about who should be involved when creating the food systems of the future. The question is not who can be heard, but who should be listened to. If the transition is to succeed, there is a need to involve all those affected by the issue and who can contribute positively to balanced solutions, whether they are small producers and traders, nature organizations, research communities, or future generations of farmers.
Free Farmers - Living Land hereby urges the government and the political parties that continue to support the tripartite process to contact representatives of the agricultural sector that is willing to engage in constructive dialogue aimed at implementing the necessary transformation of Danish agriculture and the Danish food system.