Denmark confirms details of new meat tax
After months of talks and negotiations with farmers, political parties and environmental groups, Denmark has passed a world-first tax on agricultural emissions. With an estimated 60% of its territory cultivated, the aim is to take large amounts of agricultural land out of operation and convert it to forestry and nature parks, which is set to begin in 2027.
Farmers will pay a methane tax (£34 per tonne – doubling by 2035) including cattle and pig farming. This was negotiated down from about £120 per tonne. The new system will allow farmers to avoid or reduce the tax IF they implement available technologies to reduce methane. A list is being prepared of practices, equipment and technologies that are recognised by government, and which would also attract some funding to help with the transition.
The Danish government anticipates that getting ahead of the decarbonisation curve will improve their export competitiveness. But the problem now is how to measure emissions and agree on a benchmark on which to base the regulation. It’s not clear how and when this will happen. Farming Today spoke to a representative of the Danish Agriculture and Food Council to gauge industry reaction.