Minister heckled and met with horn blasts during speech to Danish farmers

Christian Rabjerg Madsen struggled to deliver his message to Danish farmers as repeated jeers and horn blasts interrupted his speech in Odense.

The Social Democrat minister faced the disruptions particularly when he discussed the scientific basis for nitrogen reductions. The proposed regulation is intended to reduce nitrogen emissions into marine waters, but the farming sector is strongly opposed to it ahead of its expected adoption on Thursday.

Landbrug & Fødevarer organized the meeting, which drew 4,500 critical voices. Its chairman, Søren Søndergaard, said the law threatened agriculture.

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We cannot keep waiting for new reports and ‘second opinions’. We need to bring life back to the fjords. This is a task we are obliged to carry out.

Madsen rejected any further postponement. “We cannot keep waiting for new reports and ‘second opinions’. We need to bring life back to the fjords. This is a task we are obliged to carry out,” he said.

The minister argued that Danish farming could continue under more sustainable conditions. He said financial compensation would help producers adapt while maintaining food production.

“Our task is that together, and with compensation, we move agriculture toward producing good Danish food. But we do it in a way that also lets us have fish in the water,” Madsen said.

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Our task is that together, and with compensation, we move agriculture toward producing good Danish food. But we do it in a way that also lets us have fish in the water.