The Moderates are ready with spray ban for farmers: 'It is a joyful day'

Moderates are ready with sprinkler ban for farmers: 'It's a day of joy'

A new report shows that last year, sprinkler residues were found in over half of the tested water sources.

A new report from the Ministry of the Environment warns of a billion-dollar bill for taxpayers if all our drinking water in the future needs to be cleaned. (Photo: © Sebastian Elias Uth, Ritzau Scanpix) 56 minutes ago

For 27 years, changing governments have tried to clean contaminated drinking water. Despite this, we are only meeting 1.5% of the areas that were decided to protect in 1998.

This shows a new report from the Ministry of the Environment.

However, according to the governing parties Social Democrats and Moderates, it is now time to stop sending the monkey further.

- We are forced to step up into a completely different gear and protect large connected areas for sprinklers to protect our groundwater, sounds like it from Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke (S).

Earlier today, the environment minister said that the Social Democrats are ready to introduce a sprinkler ban in the places where we draw drinking water from the ground. Now, the Moderates follow suit.

- It's a day of joy. It's a good day for groundwater in Denmark, says Moderates' environment spokesperson, Henrik Frandsen.

According to the report, a sprinkler ban will cost agriculture 360 million kroner per year. In comparison, it will cost between 6 and 18 billion kroner per year to clean drinking water.

- The only thing that's right is that one prevents instead of afterwards trying to clean drinking water chemically or mechanically for pesticides. That would be much more expensive, worse for the environment, and worse for public health, says Magnus Heunicke.

He emphasizes, however, that landowners should be compensated if they no longer can use the fields as before.

- We will create an arrangement that compensates them and ensures that the business can survive.

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Report's most important conclusions

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The report, which is prepared by the Ministry of the Environment, concludes, among other things:

* Since 1998, only about 10,000 hectares have been protected

* Last year, sprinkler residues were found in more than half of the tested sources. In more than 14% of them, there was talk of exceedances.

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'Friends of Agriculture'

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Just before the 2022 parliamentary elections, Mette Frederiksen said the same thing ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/seneste/red-parties-will-ban-pesticides-on-a-large-area-agriculture-is-in-shock ) , as her environment minister does today.

Accompanied by red party leaders on a field between Køge and Ringsted, it sounded like it would no longer be possible to use pesticides. A few days later, she went into government with the Liberals - and the ambitions were lowered, according to SF's chairman, Pia Olsen Dyhr.

- We must simply acknowledge that a party like the Liberals is a friend of agriculture in this government. They must stop, says she.

When asked if all three government parties are ambitious for drinking water, Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke says:

- It is clear in our government agreement, which the three government parties have signed, that we will protect our drinking water much better than what has happened so far.

- I of course count on the parties also living up to the words they have said.

Liberals' agriculture spokesman, Erling Bonnesen, does not want to comment on whether they also want a sprinkler ban.

Earlier ( https://www.tv2fyn.dk/fyn/landowners-in-these-red-areas-close-their-eyes-can-have-serious-consequences ) , Erling Bonnesen has emphasized the importance of agreements that concern agriculture, as far as possible, going the way of voluntariness.

But it should be over, if it's up to Magnus Heunicke.

- As long as it is based on voluntariness and completely local arrangements, we will never get effect, he says.

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Red bloc demands action

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After the report was published, SF, Radical Left, Alternative, and the Red-Green Alliance have come together ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/red-parties-demand-sprinkler-ban-after-new-report-it-is-the-best-business ) in a common front against the government. They demand a sprinkler ban now.

- The government must now - as now - present a legislative proposal that bans sprinkler chemicals in the areas where we draw our drinking water, so we can start already from the spring with taking these areas, says Enhedslistens political leader, Pelle Dragsted.

With the Moderates and the red bloc on board, Magnus Heunicke has the majority it would require to propose a new law.

But according to the environment minister, there are many technical things that need to be solved first.

- Now we are discussing the draft in the government, and I am discussing it with the parties in the Folketing, and I will work to get as many as possible to back up the idea that there should be more action.

Neither the Moderates have many comments on how the governing parties will get the Liberals on board.

- We are happy that we have a minister who has gone all in on this and who also wants to introduce a sprinkler ban in the vulnerable areas, says Henrik Frandsen.

He has, however, trust in the government finding common ground.

- I am sure that we will find a government position on this, and that we will agree on it in the government, how to move forward with this.

After 27 years of fighting to protect our postal water, the government's own analysis now sets the course for a clear course change ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/after-27-years-of-fighting-to-protect-our-postal-water-we-are-in-the-goal-with-1-5-percent )

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