display
Berlin (dpa) - At the end of winter, farmers are back to tilling the fields.
On the political stage, however, the time until the general election on September 26 is slowly running out to tackle several contested issues.
Many farmers are currently raging because of planned stricter requirements for the protection of insects.
Clarifications are still pending in the struggle for more animal protection in the stables, including secure funding for the farms.
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) therefore invited a good year after the first “Agricultural Summit” again for a direct exchange with industry associations on Tuesday.
A lot has built up among farmers.
“It takes a turn around now.
The federal government's ban policy endangers our agriculture, ”said farmers' president Joachim Rukwied before the evening video conference with Merkel and Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner (CDU).
The planned cuts in the insect protection package were unilaterally at the expense of the farmers, which would require compensation.
display
The cabinet had recently launched the plans.
The draft law by Environment Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) aims to preserve biotopes such as orchards and species-rich grassland as habitats for insects.
An ordinance from the Ministry of Agriculture is intended to regulate restrictions on the use of pesticides in protected areas.
There should be exceptions to a ban, for example for fruit and vegetable growing.
The use of the controversial weed toxin glyphosate is generally to be severely restricted and banned entirely by the end of 2023.
The plans have also caused some resentment in parts of the Union.
Many farmers are angry about further requirements after fertilization rules were tightened again last year.
Because the groundwater in many places has been too heavily polluted with nitrate for years, the EU Commission sued Germany and won the case.
The new meeting with Merkel should "once again underline the high level of appreciation" for the daily work of the farmers, the federal government signaled in advance.
But also environmental and animal rights activists urge decisions.
The Animal Welfare Association warned on Tuesday that a necessary restructuring of animal husbandry would be postponed until after the election.
An overview of other contested fields - clarification until the election partly open:
display
ZOFF ABOUT CHEAP PRICES: Farmers have a heated argument with retailers.
It is about barriers to constant price pressure and cheap offers for meat and sausage.
The farmers demand more from the proceeds for themselves.
Klöckner wants to legally prohibit unfair business practices at the expense of smaller food suppliers.
The big supermarket chains complained to Merkel about the matter.
AGRICULTURAL CONSENSUS: After years of dispute over agriculture, a government commission is to try again for a consensus.
Merkel had proposed it at the agricultural summit in late 2019.
The committee with representatives from farmers, trade and the food industry, consumer, environmental and animal rights activists and scientists started in autumn.
A final report should be there in early summer 2021.
TIERWOHL: Another commission has presented a concept for significantly more animal welfare in the stables - including funding so that farmers do not have to invest billions in better stables.
A price premium of 40 cents per kilogram of meat and sausage is being discussed.
For a long-planned animal welfare label for meat from better husbandry, the cabinet approved a draft from Klöckner in September 2019 - but since then it has been stuck in the Bundestag.
display
EU AGRICULTURAL BILLIONS: How exactly the future EU agricultural financing should be implemented in Germany is still controversial.
Klöckner is urging rapid clarifications between the federal government and the federal states for the implementation in national “strategic plans” - and emphasizes that an unprecedented level of obligation for the payments will come from Brussels.
It will be exhausting for the farmers, but environmental achievements should also be rewarded.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210223-99-560273 / 2