Odense has spent at least 15 million kroner fighting the oak processionary moth this year, far more than budgeted. The city’s mayor and Denmark’s minister for nature and animal welfare met in Odense on August 25 to discuss a national action plan.
Odense Mayor Peter Rahbæk Juel (Social Democrats) said the municipality has spent at least 15 million kroner this year on combating the moth, widely known in Denmark as “larven fra helvede,” the caterpillar from hell. He spoke at a doorstep in Odense alongside Christian Rabjerg Madsen (Social Democrats), the minister for nature and animal welfare, DR reports.
The city had set aside 10 million kroner for the effort earlier in the summer. TV 2 Fyn reported at the time that Odense planned to spend that sum on the larvae within 14 days. According to DR, the final bill has turned out to be considerably higher than expected.
Both the mayor and the minister said they want a national action plan for how the pest should be handled in the coming years. Rahbæk Juel called for a financial backup for Odense and other municipalities. He also said private landowners should have easier access to pest control if the larvae appear on their own property.
Rabjerg Madsen said he could not promise money to the municipalities. As reported by DR, the minister said the question must be discussed with the parties at Christiansborg and with the municipalities, in a way that makes sense.
Talks ahead of parliamentary negotiations
Fyens Stiftstidende reported that the two met to share this summer’s experience, and that the talks are meant to feed into work on a national plan before the next season. DR notes that the meeting comes ahead of coming negotiations among the parties in the Folketing.
Politiken, citing a written answer published on the Folketing’s website, reported that the minister said the parties should draw up a future plan after the summer. The outlet also noted that the larvae had caused major problems in Odense.
Ekstra Bladet reported in July that the minister had already moved to gather the relevant authorities for a coordinated response. It described the step as an attempt to help municipalities in the short term while preparing a longer-term approach.
On its own pages about parks and nature, Odense Kommune states that there is currently no financial limit on the local effort. The municipality says the main constraint is the availability of qualified pest controllers, and that the focus is on limiting spread and reducing risk.
Rahbæk Juel said he welcomes the fact that the issue is being taken up in the Folketing, but wants clarity soon. According to DR, the mayor said a strong and effective strategy must be ready from 2027.
