Denmark seeks new pesticide strategy as usage levels stagnate

Denmark's Minister for the Environment, Maria Reumert Gjerding, is calling for a new, ambitious pesticide strategy following reports that pesticide consumption levels have remained stagnant for a decade.

According to data from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and EU indicators, the environmental and health burden from pesticides has not decreased as politically intended. Despite various action plans launched since 1986, the sale of chemical pesticide active ingredients in Denmark remains at over 3,000 tons per year.

Minister Gjerding expressed deep concern that the goal to reduce the burden, established in 2022, has not been met. She stated, “I am deeply concerned that since 2022 we have had a declared goal to reduce the burden, but it seems that we are not succeeding.” The minister intends to negotiate a new strategy with political parties in the Folketing to establish more effective tools and targets.