Healthy food and happier animals – this is what supermarket customers, the food industry and farmers are all in favor of. But how this could work has been discussed for a long time.
Affordable prices in the supermarket, more biodiversity and animal welfare in agriculture: how both can be reconciled is up for discussion.
Agricultural organizations opposed pitting the needs of low-income households against those of farmers. The food industry warned that there shouldn’t be “social vegans” – people for whom animal products are too expensive. And the farmers’ association described the tense economic situation of many farms.
demands on the federal government
With the agricultural fair Green Week in Berlin, the traditional start of the year for the industry will be canceled this January due to the Corona crisis. Nevertheless, their representatives use the appointment to describe the situation and to make demands on the new federal government.
Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir made it clear that he wants to build on the consensus reached by an expert committee of the old government in the transition to more environmental and animal protection. “People want healthy, affordable food, producers want a reasonable income, and we have to protect the climate.” It is important to bring this together, he emphasized in a discussion round.
The Green politician emphasized the planned expansion of organic farming, which is dependent on a larger market. Organic and regional products should be offered more widely in football stadiums, canteens and canteens. It should also be cooked in schools so that children can learn the cultural technique and traditional dishes are not lost. It is good that immigrants also know as part of the integration, “what are cheese spaetzle, what are Schupfnudle”.
Özdemir confirmed that mandatory animal husbandry labeling should start this year. This pressure also ensures that this is not postponed further. “We’ve had that for 16 years, now we have to act.” The minister made it clear that he is striving for broadly supported solutions for new regulations to finance additional costs for farmers. “You need planning and investment security, I have that.”
The transformation of the industry must happen at affordable prices for supermarket customers, demanded Christoph Minhoff, the general manager of the Federal Association of the German Food Industry.
Depressed mood among farmers
Farmers in Germany are very insecure and relatively pessimistic, said farmer president Joachim Rukwied. Future requirements for livestock and agriculture are not clear. “We need a clear signal of where the journey is going.” The conversion of animal husbandry alone costs several billion euros a year. Now the financial pool must be formed for it, demanded Rukwied.
Smaller farms in particular will not be able to shoulder the climate-friendly conversion of agriculture, as the consulting firm EY and the University of Göttingen first explained in a study. Many could no longer and did not want to raise the investments.
The economic situation of the farms is tense and disastrous for the pig farmers, said Rukwied. The farmers are ready for more animal welfare in the stables and more biodiversity in the fields. But that must also pay off for the companies.
“Farmers are entrepreneurs who can secure our food supply and make a significant contribution to achieving climate goals,” said FDP parliamentary group leader Carina Konrad of the German Press Agency. “To do this, they need economic stability and independence when making operational decisions.” The use of new technologies and modern pesticides must be made possible. Planning security and simplifications in the conversion of stables and the approval of new “animal welfare stables” are also necessary.
“The social question cannot be solved by the market alone, nor at the checkout,” said Tina Andres, chairwoman of the Bund Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft, when presenting the “Critical Agricultural Report” of the agricultural alliance. “The damage to humans and nature caused by agricultural production is currently not included in the food price,” it says.
“If we have to raise prices, then social policy must also react accordingly with regard to the aid rates for people in need,” emphasized Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Association.
Decreased sales
Despite rising food prices, sales in the food industry probably fell last year. The federal association estimates that it amounted to 182.4 billion euros, which would correspond to a minus of 1.6 percent. “Of course there are consequences when restaurants and canteens are closed,” said Minhoff. In addition, increased production costs were difficult to push through with higher prices for customers.
Source From: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
