The agricultural organizations and the CDU/CSU opposition say that agriculture still urgently needs crop protection products and point to the disappointing grain and fruit harvests of 2024. The German Farmers' Association (DBV) warns that a ban could severely damage the already vulnerable agricultural sector.
This year’s poor harvest is partly the result of heavy rainfall that hit Germany early in 2024. These downpours caused significant damage to fruit cultivation. The German Farmers' Association reports that the fruit harvest in some regions is up to 20% lower, putting enormous pressure on already shaky agricultural markets.
DBV chairman Joachim Rukwied said in an initial response that the agricultural sector depends on chemical agents to achieve decent yields. He emphasized that the situation is worsening due to increasingly strict regulations.
Additionally, Rukwied expressed his concerns about the future of food supply. He urged the government to recognize the importance of the agricultural sector and to ensure that farmers have the means to protect their crops.
The idea of switching to more sustainable methods must, according to the DBV chairman, be accompanied by realistic transition periods and sufficient support from the government.
German arable farmers complain that the protein content in their wheat threatens to fall below the required 12 percent because they are allowed to spread less nitrogen via (artificial) fertilizer. Some reportedly plan to switch to growing maize instead. This would also put the quality of the German “brödchen” (bread rolls) under pressure.
Up to 35,000 tons of pesticides are used annually in Germany, often in wine and hop cultivation. This corresponds to approximately half a kilo per person. Apple trees are sprayed the most in Germany: about 20 to 30 times per season. Chemically-synthetic pesticides are largely banned in their cultivation.