Six German organizations from agriculture, horticulture, forestry, livestock, and the food industry have asked the SPD, Greens, and FDP for political support for the recommendations of the Agricultural Future Commission (ZKL). Implementing and financing the Commission-Borchert’s plans should be the first major task of the likely German red-yellow-green ‘traffic light coalition’.
The signatories of the appeal include the chairpersons of the German Farmers’ Association (DBV), the German Raiffeisen Association (DRF), the family businesses Land and Forest, the Food Association Germany, the Association of Chambers of Agriculture, and the Central Association of Horticulture (ZVG).
A broadly composed expert commission led by former Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Borchert (CDU) presented proposals earlier this year to extensively modernize the German agricultural sectors. This also included most requirements concerning animal welfare, environment (manure!), and climate (nitrogen!), as well as the European Green Deal policies.
Together, the signatories clarify where the political framework must be established to preserve the great importance of the agriculture, food, and forestry sector in Germany. Agriculture, forestry, horticulture, and fisheries provided the income for more than 930,000 Germans. 4.7 million people are employed in 700,000 companies in agriculture and the food industry, and approximately 1 million people work in the forestry and wood sector.
The billion-euro investments needed for the German agricultural transition should not only be the responsibility of the chain of farmers, the food industry, retailers, and customers but of society as a whole. Part of the additional costs would thus be reflected in the price but also come from subsidies and premiums funded through taxes via the government.
This financing from the treasury is described as ‘Economy, ecology, and social issues must be considered as a task for society as a whole in the further development of agriculture and the food industry.’
However, the six organizations warn against excessively drastic bans, obligations, and imposed restrictions on German farmers. The EU plans and the election program of the German Greens include a ban on the use of chemical pesticides, reduced nitrogen emissions, and expansion of organic farming.
According to the German agricultural and food umbrella organizations, more should be expected from new technology than from enforced limitations. For example, risk-benefit analyses must first be conducted for forms of sustainable agriculture. Innovations with satellites, precision farming using sensors, and the development of new pesticides should be prioritized over general reduction targets.