After the farmers’ protests, Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir called for cross-party solutions to achieve better conditions for the industry.
The Green politician said in the Bundestag that we now have the opportunity to drive everyone into the trees. “Or we can all work constructively together to ensure that German agriculture is positioned for the future.” The farmers could protect the climate, nature and animals and at the same time produce high-quality food. “But someone has to pay for the effort.”
Özdemir once again campaigned for reliable financing for the conversion of animal husbandry with an “animal welfare cent” on animal products. The position of farmers in the chain up to trade must be strengthened. The Federal Cartel Office should also be commissioned to carry out an investigation.
The traffic light groups have submitted a motion for a resolution to the debate that names possible relief for farmers – for example, reducing bureaucracy or secure financing for the conversion of stables. This is intended to formulate a political commitment “to list specific projects in the first quarter of 2024 that will give agriculture planning security and relief and to adopt appropriate measures by the summer.” The SPD, FDP and Greens are reacting to nationwide farmers’ protests against the planned end of diesel tax breaks for farmers.
Merz accuses Ampel of campaigning against agriculture
CDU leader Friedrich Merz accuses the federal government of pursuing policies against rural areas. With regard to the recent farmers’ protests, the parliamentary group leader in the Bundestag said: “These demonstrations are an expression of ever-increasing dissatisfaction and pent-up frustration, which is particularly directed against the federal government and the factions and parties that support it.” Merz pointed out that many other groups had joined the farmers’ protests. “It was a demonstration of the entire rural area of the Federal Republic of Germany.”
