Denmark abolishes agriculture ministry after 130 years

Denmark will no longer have a dedicated minister for agriculture and food, ending a 130-year tradition, state broadcaster DR reports.

The new government has dissolved the ministry, which also oversaw fisheries for decades. Peder Dam, chair of the Danish Agricultural History Society, called the move “historic” and noted it reflects the sector’s declining economic weight.

“Landbrug once dominated Danish exports, but today it accounts for only a few percent,” Dam said. “The real question is whether Denmark is still an agricultural nation. While its export share has shrunk, farming still covers two-thirds of the country’s land, with major environmental impacts.”

The decision follows years of criticism over industrial livestock production and pesticide use. Author and activist Kjeld Hansen, who has written extensively on agricultural history, described the change as “an earthquake that will crack the walls of Axelborg,” referring to the headquarters of Landbrug & Fødevarer, Denmark’s main farming lobby.

Søren Søndergaard, chair of Landbrug & Fødevarer, acknowledged the shift as a “historic day” for the industry but warned against increased bureaucracy as responsibilities scatter across multiple ministries. The government’s coalition agreement includes plans to reduce pig production, ban pesticides near vulnerable groundwater, and convert farmland to nature reserves.

Former agriculture minister Rasmus Prehn (2020–2022) defended the closure, arguing the sector’s planned reforms justify dissolving a ministry long seen as closely aligned with conventional farming interests.