Denmark Law Does Not Require Farmers to Grow Flowers on 5 Of Their Land for Bees
The Claim
Farmers in Denmark are required by law to plant flowers on 5% of their land to support bee populations.
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Emerging story
The claim went viral in May 2021.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar concluded that there is not a law in Denmark that requires farmers to grow flowers for bees. The law is not mentioned anywhere in Denmark’s environmental law or on the Danish Agricultural Agency website.
USA Today reached out to the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries about the supposed law. A spokesperson for the agency said there is “no national legislation requiring people in Denmark to grow field flowers for the bees in 5% of the country.”
The Pollinator Initiatives in EU Member States report discusses strategies that 10 EU member states are taking to address declines in bee and other pollinator populations. One of the key gaps addressed in the report related to pollinators in Denmark includes “few incentives for farmers to create more pollinator habitat.”
However, the EU does offer a “green direct payment” to farmers who dedicate 5% of their land to “areas beneficial for biodiversity.” Known as Ecological Focus Areas, they can include flowers, trees, hedges, land left fallow, and more. This is not a legal requirement though, and farmers can choose not to participate in the program.
