– It is both sober and ambitious.
– It is not just a question of reducing emissions from agriculture. At the same time, we must maintain and like to increase food production in Denmark, because the world needs it, simply because there will be more people on the planet, says Jørgen E. Olesen.
The government’s plan is that, among other things, new technology will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
Emissions must be reduced by the equivalent of 6.6 million tonnes of CO2.
In a proposal, the government points out that measures have already been decided that correspond to reductions of half a million tonnes of CO2 in 2030. In total, given reductions corresponding to 7.1 million tonnes of CO2 in 2030.
The proposal has otherwise met with harsh criticism from the government’s support parties, who have called the plan wishful thinking and a mirage.
Jørgen E. Olesen calls the agricultural area “full of problems”.
There is also a lot of work to be done before the plan can be realized, he admits.
– This is really difficult. It requires research, it requires innovation, and it requires that things can be implemented out with the farmers.
According to Jørgen E. Olesen, another side benefit is that the development of new technology can benefit exports.
– With this proposal, we will be miles ahead of other countries that do not have the same problems with agriculture, and which therefore do not have much focus on it. This means that we will stand alone, also within the research and development efforts.
– If we are to have this earned back home, it should very much end up that we are at the forefront (with the new technology, ed.) – also in companies specializing in this, so we can export it, he says.
The government will present its full plan at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning.