DKK 645 million earmarked for green agricultural initiatives
The former government allocated DKK 145 million annually for three years under the agreement on Green Growth, aimed at environmental technology. The new government has increased this amount by DKK 70 million annually for three years. To sum up, DKK 645 million has been earmarked for green initiatives in the agricultural sector until 2014.

“A number of ideas are in the pipeline and the Green Growth agreement cannot keep up with all the creative initiatives. This is why I have put in more money right away in the hope that increased financial means will lead to renewed optimism and growth in agriculture and the green technology sector,” says the Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mette Gjerskov.

Funding through the National Rural Development Programme
The green technology fund, which subsidises up to 40 per cent of investment costs in green technology, has received a large number of applications in previous years. In 2010, applications amounted to DKK 450 million and in 2011 to nearly DKK 270. The money has been found by redistribution of funds under the National Rural Development Programme and DKK 70 million will be set aside already in 2011. The remaining DKK 140 million will be allocated in the next two years.

Costly documentation requirements
The Danish Agriculture & Food Council welcomes the allocation of additional resources because research in green technology may promote the competitiveness of the Danish food sector and result in increased exports.

“It is important for the Danish food sector to be able to choose from a vast array of green technology solutions to promote the necessary green innovation. But we also wish to underline that it is necessary to look at the very bureaucratic and costly requirements for verification of green technology solutions, as it is specified in the environmental permit scheme”, says Anette Christiansen, Environmental Manager in the Danish Agriculture & Food Council.

View the Danish Food and Agriculture Council's profile on www.stateofgreen.com.