Visitors to the Green Week can once again marvel at farm animals, drink wheat beer and feast on Black Forest ham. Meanwhile, the dispute over agricultural diesel and other topics is raging at the stands of the agricultural associations.
At the start of Green Week in Berlin, Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir promoted appreciation for agriculture and food production. The trade fair is “a great overview” of what products are available, said the Green politician during the traditional opening tour. While numerous visitors streamed through the exhibition grounds in the morning, marveling at sheep and cows and trying out regional specialties, the dispute over agricultural diesel continued to dominate the political debate at the agricultural fair.
After the Bundestag’s budget committee had stuck to planned cuts in diesel subsidies for farmers the day before, farmers’ president Joachim Rukwied announced further, smaller protests for the coming days. “Our farmers are disappointed that they have not been heard,” he said. “Starting next week, there will be more actions, more like pinpricks, to once again express in a special way how important the withdrawal is.” In addition, the farmers’ association is primarily focusing on further discussions with the government and the parliamentary groups.
There was renewed encouragement from the federal states. Both Bavaria’s Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU) and North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) expressed understanding for the farmers’ anger.
Essentially, it’s not about agricultural diesel, but about a long-term economic perspective, emphasized Wüst. The structural change in agriculture has been leading to a quiet, slow death, especially of small agricultural businesses, for decades. “This is not a large industrial company where hundreds or thousands of employees would suddenly be on the street,” said Wüst. Politicians have long failed to respond appropriately to this situation.
“Don’t lose decency”
With regard to the farmers’ announced protests, Kaniber emphasized: “I am sure that the farmers will not lose their decency.” She pointed to the broad support among the population according to the surveys. “I think that the farmers are so clever that they are continuing to ride this wave in a positive way, that no one wants to appear extreme in any way.”
Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) said it was important that the city and the country were not in opposition, but in cooperation. “We have to make sure we listen to each other.” Reliable framework conditions are also necessary.
Green Week opened to the public on Friday. Until January 28th, visitors can try specialties, pet animals and find out about work in the food industry. 1,400 exhibitors from 60 countries will be presenting themselves in the halls under the radio tower. More than 300,000 people are expected.
Source: Stern
