Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir called for higher prices for agricultural products in Germany in an interview. However, the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband has an objection.
Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir (Greens) calls for higher prices for food and agricultural products. “There must be no more junk prices for food, they are driving farms into ruin, preventing more animal welfare, promoting species extinction and polluting the climate. I want to change that,” he told “Bild am Sonntag”. He wanted people in Germany to appreciate their food as much as their cars. “Sometimes I have the feeling that a good engine oil is more important to us than a good salad oil,” criticized the minister. Food is not likely to become a luxury good. “But the price has to express the ecological truth more strongly,” said Özdemir.
The Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband calls for social compensation for the poor if food should become more expensive to protect the environment and farms – as requested by the Agriculture Minister. The managing director of the association, Ulrich Schneider, said in the “Welt” with a view to social welfare recipients that corresponding price increases “must necessarily go hand in hand with a significant increase in the standard rates. You cannot separate ecological and social issues. It is only eco-social, otherwise you lose support the population.”
Ministry of Labor refers to citizens’ money
On Monday there were few details from the federal government on whether social compensation was planned and what it could look like. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs referred to the citizens’ allowance agreed in the coalition agreement, which is to replace Hartz IV. Even today, the recalculation of the basic security also includes increases in food prices.
The Union also demanded to keep an eye on the social. “In any case, we will pay close attention to the social impact, because not everyone can afford organic products,” said CDU / CSU parliamentary group vice-president Steffen Bilger (CDU) of “Welt”. The CDU politician also referred to a possible import of cheaper food from abroad.
Özdemir is asking for more than higher food prices
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture left unanswered questions about the effects of higher prices for imported and exported food produced in Germany. Farmers in Germany needed better prices to survive, said a spokesman. Pet owners in particular needed a better perspective. He also emphasized: “It is not a question of the state setting the price per kilo of meat or perhaps the price of a bunch of carrots.”
In addition to the end of “junk prices”, Özdemir is aiming to expand the area of organically cultivated fields by 2030 from currently almost 10 to 30 percent and wants to use the “buying power of the state” for this: The catering in public facilities should include more regional and organic products be changed. “The state must be a role model.”
Özdemir is also planning stricter requirements for finished products so that people eat more healthily. “Overall, Germany’s diet is too unhealthy,” he said. Over 50 percent of adults are overweight. “The reason for this is too much sugar, fat and salt, especially in finished products.” Politicians have tried for too long to get the industry to make voluntary commitments to reduce these ingredients. “That is over now. With me there will be binding reduction targets,” Özdemir made clear.
Source From: Stern
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