The authorities have strived to implement all EU Directives in Danish legislation and in many areas Denmark’s national legislation exceeds the requirements of EU Directives.

Danish crop producers may only spread a maximum of 140 kg of nitrogen in the form of pig slurry per hectare of land, compared to 170 kg in other European countries. In contrast to EU standards, Danish pig farmers are also controlled by fixed limits for odour nuisance affecting neighbours and nearby residential areas.

Discharges of nitrogen and phosphorus, ammonia evaporation into the atmosphere and odour pollution from pig farms are controlled by the Environmental Approval of Animal Production Act and the Action Plan for the Aquatic Environment III 2005-2015. Through a holistic approach, these regulate odour nuisance, nutrient discharge and protection of environmentally vulnerable areas.

The Environmental Approval of Animal Production Act also controls the establishment of new units or expansion of existing pig production. These require approval from the Danish authorities. Permission is only granted for developments located away from environmentally vulnerable areas and taking account of possible odour nuisance for neighbours.

In the environmental area, unannounced inspections are carried out to check land use, feed mixtures, fertilizer accounts, distance to watercourses, management of slurry and chemicals, as well as health and safety conditions.