Furthermore, in their last committee meeting, the three parliamentary groups compiled a list of agricultural and environmental laws they still disagree on. In recent years, the CDU opposition has criticized the agriculture and environmental policies of the center-left coalition heavily, but has submitted few alternative proposals itself.
Last week, Agriculture Minister Cem Ă–zdemir (Greens) finally placed his proposal for a national biodiversity strategy on the political agenda. An initial action plan includes about 250 measures to be implemented between 2025 and 2027, which could significantly affect natural areas and rural regions.
German political parties still disagree on the funding of a major agricultural transition, as proposed by the so-called ZKL Future Commission. The CDU states that these recommendations "should now be understood as guidelines based on societal consensus." The CDU does not speak about the costs, or whether these should be paid by a new meat tax or higher VAT on food.
This week, a concise 'agriculture paragraph' was adopted at a CDU congress as a kind of 'interim action plan.' It is proposed to reverse the previous reduction in agricultural diesel subsidies and the restrictions on chemical pesticides. Additionally, the CDU members want fewer (green) regulations in agriculture.
According to the latest opinion polls, CDU/CSU will be the winner of the elections with just over thirty percent of the votes, followed by the right-wing radical AfD with about 20 percent, SPD with about 18 percent, and Greens with about 15 percent. Since CDU lead candidate Merz has categorically ruled out governing with the AfD, and because CDU and SPD likely won’t achieve a majority together, forming a three-party coalition may become necessary.
If the Christian Democrats win the elections in February and become the largest party, the Bavarian sister party CSU is already demanding the BMEL ministerial post. The CSU believes that the regional Farmers’ Association chairman Günther Felßner should succeed Özdemir.
FelĂźner told the news magazine Politico that he sees no need to break with current agricultural policy and also supports the expansion of renewable energy sources, similar to Ă–zdemir's approach. "We will again have agricultural policy that combines ecology and economy," FelĂźner explained.