Haderslev mayor reverses stance on local pesticide ban after election campaign

A proposal to ban pesticides on municipally leased farmland in Haderslev will be reconsidered after a council vote, following pressure during Denmark’s recent election campaign, reports DR.

The measure, initially rejected in 2023, was revived by councillors Carsten Leth Schmidt (Schleswig Party) and Jakob Vindel Duedahl (Radical Left) amid growing public concern over drinking water contamination. While the ban was not immediately approved, a majority voted to commission a study on its potential impact on groundwater quality and other pollution sources.

Haderslev Municipality owns 92 hectares of agricultural land with drinking water interests, where pesticides are currently permitted. Eight of the area’s 38 waterworks exceed legal pesticide limits, according to local authorities.

Mayor Mads Skau of the Liberal Party (Venstre), who previously opposed the ban, now supports further investigation—but insists the party’s position remains unchanged. “There are many factors polluting our groundwater, not just agricultural spraying,” Skau said, adding that he hopes the study will confirm land use is not the primary issue.

The election campaign intensified public debate on pesticide restrictions, with local resident Susanne Christensen telling DR: “We need to think about children and the future. The water isn’t looking good as it is—we need to act.”

Skau criticised what he called “populist” election rhetoric, arguing Denmark already has “some of the world’s best drinking water” and warning against uninformed decisions. He emphasised the need for evidence-based policy, citing point-source contamination—such as chemical spills—as a major concern.

If implemented, the ban would apply only when existing lease agreements expire. The proposal will now undergo technical review before returning to the council.