Several Danish parties are criticizing Nature and Animal Welfare Minister Christian Rabjerg Madsen (S) for sticking to the plan to eradicate sika deer in Denmark, after a new genetic study found no interbreeding with native red deer.
DR reported on August 16, 2026 that Dansk Folkeparti, Alternativet, Det Konservative Folkeparti and Danmarksdemokraterne all object to the minister’s position. Peter Kofod of Dansk Folkeparti described the minister’s response to the new report as decidedly stupid, and said shooting the animals serves no purpose.
The study examined Danish sika deer and red deer and concluded that the two species do not mix in Denmark. According to DR’s separate report on the findings, the researchers include genetics professor Niels Tommerup from the University of Copenhagen, and they found no genetic evidence of hybridisation.
Politiken reported in January 2026 that the project was launched by a veterinarian and a genetics professor to test whether Danish sika had produced hybrids with red deer. The testing followed the EU decision to list sika as invasive. Per Danmarks Jægerforbund, the listing was driven mainly by documented hybridisation in countries such as Ireland and Scotland.
Denmark voted against the classification at EU level, the minister has noted, but is bound by the regulation. Berlingske reported in December 2025 that Denmark applies a lenient approach, letting enclosed herds die out naturally if no new calves are born. In practice, that means male animals are shot.
In Jægersborg Dyrehave, where the Danish Nature Agency manages the herd, the remaining animals are to be shot this autumn. DR reports that about half the park’s sika population has already been culled. Sika living in the wild may be shot year-round.
Kim Edberg, environment spokesperson for Danmarksdemokraterne, said the crossbreeding argument has now disappeared, leaving the minister exposed. Frederik Bloch Münster of De Konservative said the report must prompt reconsideration, and he plans to put a formal question to the minister. Torsten Gejl of Alternativet said the species, present for 125 years, should not be eradicated on principle.
Not all parties agree. Pil Christensen of Enhedslisten backs the minister’s line but wants the ministry to revisit the case in light of the report. Line Krogh Lay of Radikale Venstre said the findings could justify a step back to consider a different Danish approach.
The minister argues the report strengthens Denmark’s approach, under which the deer are eradicated over time but live beyond the EU deadline next summer. Kofod noted that the planned autumn culls leave little time, and that shooting the last animals would be irreversible. Dansk Folkeparti says it will continue pursuing the case.
