Germany is sticking to the legal target that agriculture must be 30 percent organic in six years, but France has decided not to make this a legal requirement at the last minute.
German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir maintains the ambitious goal of having thirty percent of agricultural land cultivated organically by 2030. Özdemir recently emphasized again that this objective is crucial for the sustainable future of German agriculture.
According to the agricultural structure survey, in 2023 approximately 28,700 farms in Germany operated according to the requirements of organic farming. According to Destatis, their share amounted to 11%.
At 1.85 million hectares, the share of organic agricultural land was correspondingly high. To achieve the 30% target, almost a fifth of the total agricultural area would have to be converted in seven years.
German agricultural organizations have mixed reactions to Özdemir's proposal. While some farmers and organizations recognize the benefits of organic farming, such as improved soil quality and higher biodiversity, there are also concerns.
Many farmers fear for their financial future. The German Agricultural Association (DLG) has called for more government support and subsidies to make the transition feasible for smaller farms. In addition, there is discussion about the feasibility of the goal within the set time frame.
Within the European Union, member states have agreed to support organic agriculture in the context of the Green Deal and the common agricultural policy. This should help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
France, on the other hand, recently decided not to legislate the organic farming target. This decision came as a surprise, as France initially had ambitious plans to significantly increase the share of organic farming.
The French government indicated that the agricultural sector needs time to adapt to the changes and that voluntary measures are currently preferable to legal obligations. French Agriculture Minister Marc Fresneau underlined that although efforts are being made to green the sector, the focus is now on feasible and gradual steps.
Critics of the French decision believe that the omission of a binding target will reduce the pressure on the sector to become more sustainable. Without legal obligations, they fear that progress towards more sustainable agriculture will be slower. On the other hand, there is understanding for the flexibility that the French government wants bieden, given the economic challenges that many farmers face.