From July to December 2025, Denmark will hold the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. During this six-month term, Denmark aims to strengthen the EU’s resilience, competitiveness and sustainability, with particular emphasis on environmental protection, regulatory simplification and green growth. The Presidency argues that a secure and competitive Europe must be based on the EU’s fundamental values, clean energy, strong industry and sustainable natural resource management.
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One of the key objectives is to advance the green transition while reinforcing competitiveness. Denmark proposes a green and market-oriented Common Agricultural Policy and supports the development of the bioeconomy and bio-based solutions. The Presidency will prioritise negotiations on new genomic techniques, forest reproductive material and the EU Biotech Act, arguing that these innovations can contribute to more resilient agriculture and a sustainable food system.
Furthermore, the agenda includes improving access to protein crops and strengthening the internal food market. These goals are accompanied by focus on soil, animal welfare and antimicrobial resistance. Denmark is expected to promote its national experience with green agricultural reform, including a landmark agreement to tax farming emissions, which has been developed in close partnership with farmers and civil society.
Regulatory simplification is presented as key to both economic growth and better governance. Denmark will prioritise negotiations on simplification packages, including those related to sustainability reporting and GDPR, supporting improved impact assessments to ensure new rules are effective and proportionate. The Presidency sees reduced burdens on business and clearer regulation as essential for unlocking innovation.
The Danish Presidency will be led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who heads the centre-left Social Democrats. She governs in coalition with the liberal-conservative Venstre party and the centrist Moderates, reflecting Denmark’s tradition of cross-party cooperation. It is likely that the Presidency will try to draw on this domestic consensus model in Brussels, seeking pragmatic compromises and long-term solutions. Nationally, Denmark has demonstrated strong leadership on green agriculture and could likely highlight its initiatives on soil health and contaminant reduction, particularly concerning heavy metals.
More information is available at:
Programme of the Danish presidency: Link
Priority dossiers’ briefing: Link