In recent weeks, the three German coalition factions (SPD, Greens, and FDP) have made various concessions to German farmers, such as spreading the abolition over several years instead of abolishing it all at once next year. The farmers' association stuck to 'full retention' for a long time but is now willing to accept other compensations in exchange.
With this softening, the farmers' association aligns with the plea that the sixteen German federal states submitted last week to BMEL Minister Cem Özdemir. The state governments, from different political parties, want to improve the income position of German farmers by reducing costs and administrative burdens.
"Our businesses are overwhelmed by bureaucracy. This effort costs an enormous amount of time and thus money," criticized association chairman Joachim Rukwied. Several regional farmer organizations have criticized abandoning the cheap diesel, but others see it as an opportunity for a breakthrough in the difficult negotiations on the German agricultural budget.
However, no amounts have yet been discussed. This is necessary because the outcome must be incorporated into the austerity package that the German 'traffic light coalition' must decide on this spring.
Minister Özdemir said he will present the proposals from the federal states and the DBV on March 22 in the agricultural consultation in the Borchert Future Commission. Among other things, there must be (again) talks about higher food prices or higher taxes to help co-finance the renovation of stables in German livestock farming.
The currently announced reduction of workload and burdens in Germany coincides with similar decisions within the EU regarding easing rules in the European agricultural policy. Brussels wants to respond to farmers' protests in many EU countries. This will be discussed on Tuesday in the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament, and a week later by the 27 agriculture ministers.