Act on livestock farming and related use of fertilizers (No. 1572 of 2006).

This Act establishes a comprehensive legal framework to ensure that livestock production and fertilizer use in connection with livestock production occur on a sustainable basis, safeguarding nature, the environment, and human living conditions. It defines its scope to include livestock facilities, manure and silage storage, and land receiving fertilizer, while excluding matters already covered by other agricultural laws. The law seeks to prevent pollution of air, water, soil, and subsoil, limit nuisances such as odor, noise, and dust, promote the best available techniques, and protect wildlife habitats and cultural landscapes. It provides precise definitions for key terms, sets limits on nitrogen and phosphorus application per hectare, and allows the Minister for the Environment and Food to exempt certain livestock types or small-scale fertilizer use from regulation.
The legislation imposes strict location, design, and operational requirements for livestock and manure-handling facilities, including minimum distances from residential areas, water sources, and sensitive natural habitats. Certain projects require prior municipal approval or permits, with thresholds based on animal numbers and ammonia emissions. The Act outlines conditions under which permits may be refused, modified, or revoked, particularly in cases of environmental risk or legal non-compliance. It also prescribes detailed rules for monitoring, self-control, and enforcement, granting municipalities the authority to issue orders, impose prohibitions, or dismantle facilities in cases of serious pollution or hygiene risks. Specific chapters address environmental damage, assigning responsibility to operators, users, producers, or importers, and detailing their duties to take preventive or remedial action unless exemptions apply.
Administrative provisions ensure public participation, procedural deadlines, and coordination between authorities, including requirements for public announcements, consultation periods, and disclosure of information. The Minister retains powers to issue detailed regulations, intervene in municipal decision-making, and mandate digital communication. The act also provides for inspections, cooperation between local and national bodies, and conditions under which decisions can be appealed. Overall, the law functions as a central instrument for balancing agricultural productivity with environmental protection, embedding EU and international environmental obligations into Danish livestock and fertilizer management.