The government will punish wild boars more severely
Økologisk NuIn February 2026, a broad majority in the Folketing (Danish Parliament) approved stricter penalties for environmental crimes. However, the bill was repealed due to the parliamentary election, but now Environment Minister Maria Reumert Gjerding (SF) and Minister for Climate, Energy, and Utilities Samira Nawa (R) have reintroduced it. The original agreement came after several reports of dumping construction waste and contaminated soil into nature, particularly uncovered by TV 2’s documentary The Black Swan. The reports showed how, by dumping soil and waste into nature or agricultural land, there were attempts to save costs or achieve financial gains at the expense of the environment. On Thursday, the government presented the bill, which aims to allow for much higher fines than before. This includes measures against professionals who violate regulations to the detriment of the environment and health, according to a press release from the Ministry of Environment. The fine levels are especially increased when regulations are bypassed at the expense of the environment, when done with deliberate financial gain, or when requirements for reporting, updating reports, environmental screening, and environmental mapping are not met. The penalty increases will take effect on January 1, 2027. At least doubling the fine Environment Minister Maria Reumert Gjerding states that fines will be at least doubled. They will be further increased if there is intentional effort to gain financial advantage, making the fine twice as large as the economic benefit that could be gained by circumventing regulations. “When someone deliberately pollutes our environment to pay less or make more money, the consequences should reflect the severity of the crime. Right now, the bill ends up costing the environment and taxpayers, while the profits go to those who break the rules,” she says. Minister for Climate, Energy, and Utilities Samira Nawa (R) states: “Crimes should not be profitable — not even when they dirty our planet. That’s as simple as it gets. Therefore, we need to tighten measures and act against the cynical lawbreakers who violate regulations and pollute our nature.”
I February 2026, a broad majority in the Folketing decided to tighten the penalties for environmental crimes. However, the bill was repealed due to the parliamentary election, but now Environment Minister Maria Reumert Gjerding (SF) and Climate, Energy, and Supply Minister Samira Nawa (R) have reintroduced it.
The original agreement came after several reports of dumping construction waste and contaminated soil into nature, particularly uncovered by TV 2’s documentary The Black Swan.
The reports showed how, by dumping soil and waste into nature or agricultural land, there were attempts to save costs or achieve financial gains at the expense of the environment.
On Thursday, the government will present the bill, which will allow for much higher fines than before. This means, among other things, that action will be taken against professionals who violate regulations to the detriment of the environment and health. The Ministry of Environment states this in a press release.
The fine levels are especially increased when regulations are bypassed at the expense of the environment, when done with intentional financial gain, or when requirements for notification, updating notifications, environmental screening, and environmental mapping are not met. The penalty increases will take effect on January 1, 2027.
At least a doubling of the fine
Environment Minister Maria Reumert Gjerding says that fines will be at least doubled. They will be further increased if there has been deliberate attempts to gain financial advantage, making the fine twice as large as the economic benefit that can be gained by circumventing regulations.
”When someone deliberately pollutes our environment to pay less or earn more money, the consequences must reflect the severity of the crime. Right now, the bill ends up with the environment and taxpayers, while the profit goes to those who break the rules,” she says.
Climate, Energy, and Supply Minister Samira Nawa (R) states:
”Crimes should not be profitable – not even when they pollute our planet. That’s as simple as it gets. Therefore, we need to tighten up and act against the cynical lawbreakers who violate regulations and pollute our nature.”