The move comes as a result of a merger between the many companies and organisations involved in Danish farming and agribusiness with a view to safeguarding the interests of the industry and enhancing its political influence and reputation both in Denmark and internationally.

It will also serve to provide advice and a range of additional services for all its members in the field of political and industry-related issues.

Agriculture and food are Denmark’s largest industry and innovation grouping, employing some 150,000 people and exporting agricultural products and equipment to a value of around €15 billion.

The Danish Agriculture and Food Council will bring together a number of different organisations, including: the Danish Agricultural Council (Landbrugsrådet), Danish Slaughterhouses (Danske Slagterier), the Danish Meat Association, Danish Pig Production (Dansk Svineproduktion), Danish Agriculture (Dansk Landbrug) - which also includes the Danish Agricultural Media Centre (Dansk Landbrugs Medier) and the Danish Agricultural Advisory Service (Dansk Landbrugsrådgivning).

The new organisation will also undertake a range of key tasks for the Danish Dairy Board (Mejeriforeningen).

John Howard, Marketing Director for Danish Bacon and Meat Council, said: "Clearly, change and evolution are important given the major shifts in the marketplace for Danish foods and the Danish Bacon and Meat Council is looking forward to taking its place within the new organisation."

In addition to providing a comprehensive range of cost effective services for its members, the Danish Agriculture and Food Council will work to ensure that political factors and the market environment, both domestically and internationally, do not impair the dynamic development of Denmark’s farming and food industries.

It will also seek to promote a better understanding of its contribution to the Danish economy and society as a whole.

The creation of the new body will allow the industry to collect the interests of all its members within a single organisation, thus strengthening the link between farming and its end consumers and enhancing the industry’s role as a unifying and influential force.