After the outrage over the end of agricultural diesel subsidies, the government promised relief – but that took time. Now the minister is not coming to Farmers’ Day empty-handed.
Following the major farmers’ protests at the beginning of the year, the traffic light coalition has agreed on a promised relief package for agriculture.
As the leaders of the SPD, Greens and FDP announced, the proposals include tax relief, less bureaucracy and a stronger position for farmers in the chain up to the retail trade. Some of the regulations are to be decided before the summer break. The farmers’ association spoke of a “package” and called for further steps. Criticism came from the opposition.
“Nature cannot be planned”
Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) said it was a “strong package” that would ease the burden on farmers and strengthen them in the market. Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) said: “Nature cannot be planned.” The competitiveness of companies should therefore not be restricted unnecessarily. The package will probably require approval in the Federal Council, and he assumes “that the state governments will not turn a blind eye to the measures.”
The reason for the relief is the nationwide protests by farmers across Germany over the coalition’s cancellation of agricultural diesel subsidies. The traffic light factions and the government then assured the angry industry of relief in other areas – combined with the promise that they would be decided by the summer. The coalition is now making good on this shortly before the German Farmers’ Day this Wednesday and Thursday in Cottbus.
Specifically, announced relief measures are to be implemented so that companies can offset fluctuating results from good and bad years when calculating their taxes. According to information from the coalition, this will apply retroactively from 2023. The aim is to introduce the legislative plans to the Bundestag this week and probably pass them next week.
Farmers’ position in the chain from field to supermarket should be strengthened
A law is also to be introduced to strengthen the position of farmers in the chain from the field to the supermarket. This will ensure that trade relations become fairer, said FDP parliamentary group vice-chair Carina Konrad. “If goods delivered by farmers to supermarkets, such as freshly picked strawberries, are not sold, they can no longer simply be sent back.”
According to the party leaders, there are also plans to provide additional support for grazing livestock on meadows as part of EU agricultural funding, without any cuts to the basic premium, which comes as a direct payment from Brussels. “Those who do more for climate protection, species conservation and the management of grassland will receive greater support,” said Green Party deputy Julia Verlinden.
“This package is a long overdue but not sufficient step”
The farmers’ association insisted at the weekend that the promised relief would be provided and warned against breaking its word. Farmers’ President Joachim Rukwied said of the package now presented: “This package is a long overdue but not sufficient step. Although it goes in the right direction, it falls far short of the farmers’ requirements. “We have to admit that we are still light years away from real compensation for the burdens and tax increases of the past few months.”
Union parliamentary group vice-chairman Steffen Bilger (CDU) said: “The response of the traffic light coalition to the farmers’ protests at the turn of the year comes late and is more than disappointing.” It is by no means a serious financial compensation for the abolition of agricultural diesel subsidies. CDU agricultural politician Albert Stegemann spoke of a tiny plaster on a wound that was far too big.
Source: Stern
