Organic Agriculture in Denmark

Overview of the present state of Organic agriculture in Denmar

Organic Research and Development in Denmark (1996-2010) - Effects on the Organic Sector and Society

The ICROFS (International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems) has conducted an analysis of the effects of organic research in Denmark (1996-2010) on the Danish organic sector and on society in general. Over these 15 years, three national programs and one program with European collaboration have been implemented in Denmark, financed via special government grants that amounted to just over 500 million DKK (approx. € 67 million—or approximately $ 80 million). The analysis itself was carried out as a compilation of information from three perspectives, each of which has been independently documented: • Interviews with (representatives of) end-users of results from research and development (R&D) investigating their assessment of the challenges in the sector and solutions developed from 1996-2010 • Assessment of the R&D endeavours in different thematic areas (dairy/milk, pigs, crops, etc.) as they related to end-users and the stated challenges at that time • Documentation of the dissemination of R&D results in relation to themes and challenges in the sector The results showed very good correspondence between end-users’ perceptions of the challenges overcome in the sector, the R&D initiated in the research programmes, and the dissemination of research results and other forms of knowledge transfer. The analysis documented direct effects of the research initiatives targetting the challenges in the sector such as higher yields, weed and pest control, animal health and welfare, the potential for phasing out the use of antibiotics in Danish dairy herds and reducing the problems caused by seedborne diseases. It also describes where research did not contribute as much to overcoming challenges. In contrast, the analysis showed that the effects of the research in the organic processing industry and among relevant governmental and non-governmental organisations were of a more indirect character. Research has helped stabilize the supply and quality of raw materials at a time of growing demand and sales. Organic research also generates new knowledge and leads to new opportunities that can provide inspiration for a green conversion, product diversification and growth also in conventional agriculture. The analysis showed that research under the national research programs overall have been very applied and directed at the barriers in the sector in order to support the general market and growth conditions for the organic sector. Having laid a solid foundation, the private sector has been able to take advantage of commercial opportunities when demand grew, while adhering to the organic policy objectives of the market-driven growth in the organic sector

The Possibilities of Leaky Bodies. A Feminist Materialist Ethnography of Menstruating Youth

Using feminist new materialist theory and based on ethnographic field work, the monograph examins the (im) possibilities of young menstruants bodily becomings, as they navigate everyday youth life in a predominantly white upper-middle class suburb to Copenhagen, Denmark. To explore menstruation as a socio-material phenomena, the study pays attention to the meanings of whiteness, class and gender in relation to menstruation and zooms in how affects, bodies, blood, slime, pads and tampons matters to young menstruants bodily becomings. The study finds that the ignorance of menstruation in everyday life infrastructures, school pedagogics and peer relations can be limiting to young menstruants possibilities for joyfull participation in everyday life activiites. It however also shows how menstruation can matter for subversions of power and catalyze change, and how the leaky body can act as critique against neoliberal logics of bodies

Doktorens bord: Lækkende kroppes (u)muligheder: Om krop, blod, slim og ung tilblivelse

Doktorens bord: Lækkede kroppes (u)mulighede

Clopyralid applied to winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) contaminates the food products nectar, honey and pollen

Clopyralid is a systemic herbicide used in oilseed rape and other crops. It was found in Danish honey from 2016 in concentrations exceeding the maximum residue level (MRL) of 0.05 mg kg−1. About 50% of the Danish honey is based on nectar from winter oilseed rape. In 2019 and 2020, winter oilseed rape fields were sprayed with clopyralid just before the assigned spraying deadline. At flowering, nectar and pollen samples were collected and the content of clopyralid was measured. Honey and pollen samples were also collected from beehives next to ten conventional winter oilseed rape fields sprayed with clopyralid. Clopyralid was found in nectar and pollen from the experimental fields, and in honey and pollen from beehives next to the conventional fields. For most samples the content in nectar and honey exceeded the MRL. The concentrations found, may not pose any health risk for consumers, as the MRL is based on the original detection limit and not on toxicological tests. However, it can have a significant economical consequence for the beekeepers, who are not allowed to sell the honey if the concentration of clopyralid exceeds 0.1 mg kg−1. Reducing the acceptable applicable rate of clopyralid or implementing an earlier deadline for spraying of clopyralid may reduce the risk of contaminating bee food products. However, if it is not possible to obtain a satisfactory effect of clopyralid on the weed flora under these conditions, spraying with pesticides containing clopyralid should be restricted in winter oilseed rape. Determination of an MRL value based on toxicological tests might result in a higher value and make it acceptable selling the honey containing higher levels of clopyralid.Clopyralid applied to winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) contaminates the food products nectar, honey and pollenpublishedVersio

Agroecology – the fundament for the development of organic farming?

Agroecology is the science and practice of applying ecological concepts and principles to the study, design and management of the ecological interactions within agricultural systems (e.g. relations between and among biotic and abiotic elements). The whole-systems approach to agriculture and food systems development is based on a wide variety of technologies, practices and innovations including local and traditional knowledge as well as modern science

Sharing is Caring: Building PBL Coherence Supported by IT to Integrate Semester Courses and Projects

Organizing a coherent PBL semester where courses and project work are integrated and supporting the development of both disciplinary and generic competences is difficult. In this study we investigate how integration can be supported by different IT initiatives. Applying a practice theoretical approach, inspired by Stephen Kemmis, this article analyses how the practice activities and the resources within the practice are constituting challenges and possibilities for an integrated PBL practice. The findings of the study illuminate possibilities in reorganizing a semester structure with focus on creating a shared language to support communication and establishing solidary ways of relating. An important issue is also to have focus on the dispositions to act within the actual IT based materiality