The Danish political party, De Radikale, has put forward a new initiative suggesting that EU agricultural subsidies should be reduced by a whopping 200 billion Danish kroner and redirected to promote more climate- and environmentally-friendly production. This proposal comes in response to the serious environmental and climate challenges posed by European agriculture. Sigrid Friis, the lead candidate for De Radikale in the upcoming European Parliament election, emphasizes the necessity of a reformed agricultural support system that prioritizes climate, biodiversity, and nature. “We need to future-proof our food production by supporting agriculture that works towards a greener profile,” says Friis.
The party points out that current agricultural practices have had a detrimental effect on biodiversity and have contributed to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. One of the more controversial aspects of the proposal is the elimination of the slaughter premium, where farms currently receive financial support for slaughtering animals. Instead, De Radikale aims to redirect the support to farms producing plant-based food.
This radical change in the support structure raises concerns among farmers, who fear bankruptcy and social crises due to reduced subsidies. However, Sigrid Friis maintains that the goal is to support farmers in the green transition, not to drive them into bankruptcy. “It is a political goal that more should receive help in the green transition,” she says.
De Radikale have not yet presented detailed calculations on how the economic changes will impact individual farmers, or what effect it will have on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But the intention is clear: to make it less profitable to maintain agricultural practices that harm nature and the climate. The proposal will be further discussed in the coming months leading up to the EU election in June, where it is expected to be a central theme in De Radikale’s campaign.