German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir is in a difficult situation after his proposal for stricter manure regulations was rejected by a majority of German states. The bill was intended to further reduce nitrate pollution in ground and surface water, in line with European Union requirements.
The rejection could have serious financial consequences, as Germany now risks losing billions in EU subsidies. In addition, the European Commission is threatening to take legal action against Germany for failing to comply with the guidelines.
Some states are pushing for a mediation committee to find a compromise, while others are concerned about the potential impact on the agricultural sector.
BMEL Minister Özdemir is now under pressure to find a solution quickly to safeguard both environmental goals and the economic interests of farmers.
Bundestag member Linda Heitmann (Bundnis/Groenen) is outraged by the rejection of the fertilization law in the Bundesrat to reduce the nitrate load on groundwater. 'I find it annoying that individual states are playing political games at the expense of water purity and health in all political games. Due to the blockade in the Bundesrat, we are now in danger of resuming the EU infringement procedures and paying high fines.'
In an interview in the political weekly Das Parlement, Heitmann also advocated uniform water discharge tariffs throughout Germany. Companies should not be able to choose their location based on where the water is cheapest, the Hamburg delegate said. "We must avoid location competition at the expense of the environment."