Finally good news for farmers as state vows to increase subsidies and cut red tape

Even nature is supposed to benefit from the plans the Ministry for Food and Agriculture has made

Dec 4, 2014

The nation's farmers finally got some good news today when the Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries promises them less paperwork and easier access to grants in 2015.

Dan Jørgensen, the responsible minister, believes sustainable agriculture, nature protection and animal welfare can go hand-in-hand.

"We are loosening bureaucratic rules, providing greater flexibility to the individual farmer as well as raising and targeting our financial support," he explained in a statement.

Equally good for cows and orchids
According to Jørgensen, outdoor grazing contributes both to animal welfare and the quality of nature.

Endangered species of plants and animals, he explained – such as orchids and butterflies that live in meadows, grasslands and moors – can only maintain viable populations if the land is continuously nurtured, for instance through grazing.

"Grazing animals help preserve and spread rare plants in the countryside. And there is no doubt that cows will be happier if they come outdoors," noted Jørgensen.

Investing into grazing
The ministry plans to protect Danish nature by investing 283 million kroner into a so-called 'grass care system'.

The money, which come from the Rural Development Program, will be also spent on clearance and fencing under the Natura 2000 project.

Increased subsidies and flexible rules
Farmers' subsidies will increase by 600 kroner per hectare of grazed land next year.

Farmers won't have to calculate the fertiliser quotas either, as the correct use of subsidies will be controlled by physical inspections of the fields.

Thanks to the new and more flexible rules, it will also be easier to buy, sell and lease land, for which the landowner receives landscaping grants.

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