Farmers with anger and tractors against the end of agricultural diesel

Demonstrations - Farmers with anger and tractors against the end of agricultural diesel

With outraged protests and a long column of tractors, thousands of farmers in Berlin have taken a stand against the planned end to tax breaks. "We will not accept this," shouted farmers' president Joachim Rukwied at a rally at the Brandenburg Gate. He called on the traffic light coalition to withdraw its plans to cut agricultural diesel and vehicle tax and threatened major action in January. Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) confronted the demonstrators and expressed his understanding for their discontent. He announced further consultations within the government.

The farmers' association had called for the rally in the capital within a few days. Banners read "Hands off agricultural diesel","Tractors instead of tanks", "You sacrifice green meadows, livestock and fields for taxpayers' money" and "The traffic lights must go." Tractors stood close together on the Straße des 17. Juni, a truckload of manure landed on the road. According to the farmers' association, the organizer, between 8,000 and 10,000 participants and more than 3,000 tractors attended. The police spoke of 6600 participants in the demonstration and 1700 tractors.

Rukwied sharply attacked the federal government. With the plans, the industry would be burdened with an additional one billion euros per year. "That is a declaration of war." And the farmers would accept it. "Enough is enough, too much is too much." The "traffic light" must completely withdraw the "unreasonable proposals", demanded the farmers' president, already hinting that otherwise there could be a "very hot January". "Then, from January 8, we will be everywhere in a way that the country has never experienced before."

The anger was triggered by savings plans for the 2024 federal budget, which became known following an agreement between Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP). Agriculture is being targeted twice over: the regulation that allows businesses to receive a partial refund of the energy tax on diesel - with a refund of 21.48 cents per liter - is to be abolished. And the exemption of agricultural and forestry vehicles from vehicle tax is also to be abolished.

Özdemir expresses understanding - and is met with hostility

Rukwied called on Özdemir to exert pressure on the government on behalf of farmers and rural areas. If necessary, he would also have to put his office on the line. The minister quickly distanced himself from the plans, but was now met with concentrated anger. "I know that you came here to Berlin with a huge amount of anger," he shouted from the stage. It was clear that more savings had to be made, but not disproportionately in agriculture. "I don't believe in cuts on this scale," Özdemir reiterated. "That's why I'm fighting in the cabinet to ensure that it doesn't happen to this extent."

The initially calm and peaceful atmosphere heated up when Özdemir took to the microphone at the end of the rally. His short speech was interrupted several times by whistles and shouts. Rukwied called for respect and asked people to listen. The minister spoke out against derogatory remarks and also warned: "Don't fall for those who want to radicalize this."

Many of the farmers who attended the demonstration were deeply frustrated. Willi Groß from Dallgow-Döberitz in Brandenburg, who came by tractor, said that there was no alternative to diesel for agricultural machinery. That is why they are dependent on the tax relief. Politicians should make savings elsewhere. In any case, he felt that he was not valued enough as a farmer. Jörg Schäfer from East Hesse said that if the tax relief were to be abolished as planned, his farm with 130 cows and 200 hectares of arable land would have to cope with additional monthly costs of 1100 to 1300 euros. "That is unacceptable." Higher production costs would only lead to more food being imported from countries where environmental standards are not as high.

Farmers' president with a general reckoning

Rukwied made it clear that the anger is now also being followed by resentment over other "impositions" - from requirements to the lack of opportunities to shoot wolves to protect sheep. "That's too much now." The farmer president took a fundamental stance and called for "a reorientation of policy". "Taxpayers' money must be used primarily to ensure that Germany has a future." Habeck should also recommend to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) "that she does not continue to give away German tax money in other countries".

Rukwied said: "We are taking up the fight." Other professional groups such as the transport industry or the catering trade would also catch up with farmers. What is needed is a different government policy. If this does not happen, "then we need a change of government." The opposition CDU/CSU once again sharply attacked the coalition. CDU agricultural expert Albert Stegemann said that the austerity measures would directly affect farmers and weaken rural areas. Bavaria's Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU) said on the sidelines of the rally that the sector now needed "a tailwind, not a headwind".

Greenpeace: End of agricultural diesel subsidy manageable

The environmental organization Greenpeace explained that the end of the agricultural diesel subsidy would be bearable in view of high food prices and many other subsidies. "With all due sympathy for the farmers - making agricultural diesel cheaper by the state is expensive, harmful to the climate and should be abolished." However, the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) warned that the simultaneous end of the motor vehicle tax exemption sends the wrong signal to a profession that is under enormous pressure to change. For example, it would now also be important to promote the switch to alternative drive systems.

According to industry figures, the earnings situation in agriculture has recently improved. In the 2022/23 financial year, which ended in June, the average profit of farms rose to a record level of 115,400 euros - an increase of 45% compared to the previous year. However, in view of falling prices for grain, oilseeds and milk, the farmers' association had already expressed pessimism about future business prospects before the traffic light plans were announced.