Agriculture - Farmers against traffic light plans: criticism also from organic associations
Around 100 farmers demonstrated with tractors in front of the SPD, Greens and FDP party headquarters in Munich on Friday against the tax plans of the traffic light coalition. They placed old rubber boots in front of the state office of the Greens - "as a sign that we can throw in the towel and quit if they carry on like this", said dairy farmer Martin Stadler from Aying.
The coalition wants to abolish the tax concessions for agricultural diesel and also levy vehicle tax on tractors, combine harvesters and harvesting machines. For an average farm, this would mean additional costs of over 6000 euros, said Markus Drexler, spokesman for the Bavarian Farmers' Association (BBV).
The state association for organic farming in Bavaria (LVÖ), which includes Bioland, Naturland, Biokreis and Demeter, also sharply criticized the plans. The money that farmers are missing is creating further hurdles on the path to environmentally and climate-friendly agriculture. "Farmers currently have no alternative to diesel tractors. They cannot switch to more environmentally friendly machines as quickly as possible," said LVÖ boss Thomas Lang.
According to the farmers' association, there are around 100,000 farms in Bavaria. Around 11,000 farms work according to the guidelines for organic farming.
In Berlin, the German Farmers' Association is planning a protest rally with around 5,000 farmers between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column on Monday. In Bavaria, according to the BBV, many local actions are planned in front of the constituency offices of the Bundestag members of the traffic light parties. In Kempten, farmers have announced a rally in front of the constituency office of FDP MP Stephan Thomae. Andreas Hummel and Ralf Arnold, district chairmen of the farmers' association for Oberallgäu and Lindau, said that the sharp cost increases for farmers would also result in higher prices for consumers as well as climate-damaging imports, which would then displace regional goods.
Budget discussions in the Bundestag are due to begin on January 15. Following the announcement of the savings plans, Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) admitted that agriculture would be disproportionately burdened. This would be a competitive disadvantage compared to other countries that offer comparable subsidies.
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- Despite the criticism from organic associations, the traffic light coalition, comprising SPD, Greens, and FDP, remains firm in their plan to tax agricultural vehicles such as tractors, combine harvesters, and harvesting machines in Munich, Bavaria.
- The SPD party headquarters in Munich was a target of demonstrations by around 100 farmers opposed to the proposed vehicle tax on agricultural equipment and the abolition of tax concessions for agricultural diesel.
- Martin Stadler, a dairy farmer from Aying, participated in the protest, expressing concern that the coalition's tax plan could drive farmers out of business.
- Markus Drexler, spokesman for the Bavarian Farmers' Association (BBV), estimated that the additional costs for an average farm from these tax changes would exceed 6,000 euros.
- Farmer associations and organic farming organizations in Bavaria argue that the tax plan would hinder farmers' transition to more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles, such as electric tractors.
- In Berlin, the German Farmers' Association plans a protest rally involving around 5,000 farmers, expressing their opposition to the proposed changes.
- The BBV has organized several local actions in constituency offices of Bundestag members from the traffic light parties, including a rally by farmers in front of FDP MP Stephan Thomae's office in Kempten.
- According to farmers' associations, the proposed tax changes could result in higher prices for consumers due to climate-damaging imports, potentially displacing regional agricultural products.
Source: www.stern.de
