Agromek opens with great optimism and focus on the Green Tripartie Agreement
arrow_backTo the overview26 November 2024
- Energy
- Construction, roads and parks
- Crop management
- Agricultural machinery
- Livestock equipment
- Tractors and combine harvesters
- Knowledge and service
The Green Tripartie Agreement was the focus during the official opening of Agromek on Tuesday morning, where both the Minister of Food and the chairman of the fair delivered positive and forward-looking speeches. Northern Europe's largest agricultural fair takes place at MCH Messecenter Herning 26-29 November 2024.
Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries Jacob Jensen opened Agromek 2024 on Tuesday morning with a speech that addressed Danish agriculture from a historical perspective while also zooming in on the green tri-party agreement. The minister began by expressing his delight at being at Agromek.
"As a very proud minister, I stand here because Agromek represents something truly special about Danish agriculture. Namely, the ability to develop, keep up with the times, and be inspired by the new solutions that constantly emerge," said Jacob Jensen.
He then reflected on history, noting that Agromek has been "a meeting point for farmers" for decades, and that both agriculture and society looked significantly different when the first edition of the trade fair took place back in 1975. At that time, according to the minister, there were about 140,000 farms in Denmark, each typically having around 30 hectares of land, while nowadays there are just over 6,000 farms in Denmark, which on average have 270 hectares of land.
Laying the Foundations for Future Agriculture
The minister continued with this historical focus, bringing it to the present by stating that Danish agriculture is currently in the midst of a "huge developmental task," which also involves "enormous potential." Namely, how we can continue to produce some of "the world's best food" with an ever-smaller climate footprint.
"Therefore, it is perhaps not a great surprise that I am really pleased and maybe even a bit proud that the government successfully reached a political agreement just over a week ago on the Green Tripartie Agreement with broad support from a majority of parliamentary parties," said Jacob Jensen, who took the opportunity to thank the parties, including the Agriculture & Food Council, for their collaboration, and continued:
"With the tri-party agreement, we have laid the foundations for the continued development of agriculture towards becoming even more economically and environmentally sustainable, so that Danish agriculture will remain internationally top-class in the future. The green transition will continue to be a strong position for Danish agriculture in a future where sustainable solutions will be an increasing competitive parameter."
The Essential Power and Drive of Agriculture
The minister noted that times are changing, and the Tripartie Agreement forms the foundation for the next generation of Danish farmers. The combination of the essential power and drive that characterizes agriculture, along with stable framework conditions from Christiansborg, will ensure the continued development of modern technology.
"It is almost only imagination that sets the limits for what Agromek can offer in the coming years - to the benefit of agriculture, the entire food industry, and the Danes. For we have some of the world's most skilled farmers in Denmark, and we should still have them in 50 years," concluded Jacob Jensen.
"The World's Most Skilled Agriculture"
Before the minister spoke, the chairman of Agromek, Sten Andersen, welcomed the attendees and noted in his speech that the conditions surrounding and the demands on agriculture are constantly changing, making the industry always ready to adapt and embrace the future.
"We are here to gain insights into the times, the challenges, and the solutions of the future. We are also here to cultivate the good and close collaboration between Danish farmers and their suppliers. Agromek is important as a meeting place for new knowledge, knowledge sharing, and development," stated Sten Andersen.
He emphasized that Danish visitors at Agromek exclusively meet exhibitors with interests and distribution in Denmark and the surrounding countries—and that foreign visitors meet suppliers to "the world's most skilled agriculture."
The Green Tripartie Agreement - A Political Message
Sten Andersen also touched upon the now-finalized the Green Tripartie Agreement, and on behalf of the agro-industry, he expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders who, in his view, have shown courage and commitment and have risked prestige by entering into a historical agreement.
He also thanked the government for its respect and support for the solution that the parties reached. He praised the Agriculture & Food Council, led by Chairman Søren Søndergaard, for the organization's professionalism, foresight, and courage, for which, according to the Agromek chairman, Denmark owes them a great debt of gratitude.
Subsequently, Sten Andersen recalled his opening speech from Agromek 2022 and sent a message toward certain political parties:
"In my opening speech two years ago, I expressed hope that rather than ambitious promises during an election campaign, a global outlook and national responsibility would once again characterize the decisions that politicians would have to make regarding climate, water environment, and so forth. I quietly note that we perhaps should have sent my opening speech to some of the parties involved in the final negotiations."
Agromek 2024 in Brief
Agromek 2024 features 14 packed exhibition halls and 556 exhibitors—the highest number of exhibitors in 10 years. The fair spans more than 100,000 square meters and includes over 60 activities along with a multitude of product news across all seven sectors of the fair: ‘Agricultural machinery’, ‘Tractors and combine harvesters’, ‘Crop management’, ‘Livestock equipment’, 'Energy', 'Knowledge & Service', and ‘Construction, road and park’.
This year’s event includes no fewer than 12 tractor brands and features a new energy hall focusing on biogas and pyrolysis, as well as VikingDanmark’s cattle show, the Danish Association for Construction and Building's industry stand, the Agromek Award Show, and the selection of Denmark's best agricultural machinery mechanic apprentice.
