The green transition in Europe comes with a price - and the farmers in Denmark are paying for it
The new fertilizer law changes the way agricultural nitrogen emissions are regulated. For some farmers, the changes mean that large parts of their land will have to be converted to nature and wetlands. Protestors fear that this could be the end of their farming.
It's early in the morning in the center of Copenhagen. In front of Denmark's parliament, Christiansborg, the front square is sparsely crowded with farmers, press, and bystanders all getting ready for the scheduled protest. It's quiet for now, but tension is in the air.
In a little while, the square will be filled with about 2,500 farmers and more than 100 tractors, all gathering to call out the Folketing. They will show their opposition to the new rules. There are many emotions at stake in the next few hours, and the message is clear on the hats, t-shirts and signs of the protestors; "Reality is calling".
"Today we are burying Danish agriculture - it is our last chance to do something", says Peter Kjær Knudsen, winemaker and plant breeder. A farmer for 44 years, Peter runs it alongside his three sons.
The new rules have major consequences on the way they farm, he believes. Today, he has turned up at Christiansborg with the others to fight a battle against the Folketing.
Farmers are not the only ones with emotions flaring. On the other side of the demonstration is a group of activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR), who have turned up to support the new law. One of them is Anette Korsner, an early retiree and member of XR.
The group is usually rebelling against they perceive to be a lack of governmental action in the climate and environmental area. But today, it is not the government that Anette Korsner is protesting:
"For once, this is actually the first time that politicians are trying to pass a law that sort of moves something. It's the first time. "
For Anette Korsner, the new law is a step in the right direction, but not enough to solve the climate and environmental problems.
While the EU eases the pressure, Denmark dials it up
The tense atmosphere in front of the Danish parliament is a picture of a conflict that extends far beyond the country's border. In recent years, farmers in several European countries have reacted strongly against the demands placed on agriculture by the green transition. In 2024, the EU met great resistance, when they demanded that four percent of agricultural land be made fallow, while also proposing to halve chemical pesticide use by 2030. Farmer’s opposition led to the EU relaxing the requirement for fallow land and withdrawing their proposal to halve the use of chemical pesticides.
While the EU has capitulated to the demands of farmers, Denmark is doubling down with ambitions to lead the green transition. For the third year in a row, the seas along the Danish coasts will experience a high oxygen depletion in 2026, according to a new report from Green Area Conversion and Aquatic Environment. The new rules will help reduce nitrogen emissions, thus improving the environmental conditions in Danish waters.
Fired by the state
For Peter Kjær Knudsen, the new rules mean he cannot cultivate his land as usual. A large part of his land is located next to the Isefjord, and according to him, the new rules mean that part of the area must be set aside. The Isefjord is located in Northwest Zealand and flows into the Kattegat. According to Knudsen, about 30 percent of his total of 1,600 hectares must be taken out of operation, which corresponds to about 480 hectares. According to him, this could have major economic consequences:
"It is already only running around with a profit on what we do today. If it then goes down 30% in dividends, then there is a deficit. Then we cannot afford to pay our bills, and then we go bankrupt."
The new rules contain limits for how much nitrogen can be discharged. These limits are adjusted continuously based on new measurements of how much nitrogen the nearby aquatic environment can tolerate and how much agricultural land is converted to nature. The Danish government has set aside money to compensate farmers for the changed conditions, 164,5 million euros. The money comes from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Who pays the price?
Hours later, a black cloud of tractor exhaust descended on Christiansborg. Farmers have arrived from near and far. Although the day is marked by worries and uncertainty, there is also room for unity. They have come from all over the country to draw attention to their situation. They want to be seen, they want to be heard, and today they stand together.
Denmark has chosen to take the lead in the green transition and time will tell what it will cost.
