Inundation Overspreads Region Due to Severe Weather Conditions. - Minister urges reevaluation of nature conservation practices due to weather patterns.
Heavy downpours in eastern Baden-Württemberg have caused significant damage to agriculture and forestry in the past few weeks. Several districts have been hit hardest, including Bodensee, Alb-Donau, and Ostalb; Ravensburg and Sigmaringen; Biberach; Reutlingen; Tübingen; Göppingen; Esslingen; and Rems-Murr. Agriculture Minister Peter Hauk (CDU) made these comments during a press conference in Stuttgart on Friday. He noted that more than 95,000 hectares of farmland have been affected by the relentless rains, which is an area the size of around 133,000 soccer fields. Over 26,000 hectares of that land has been flooded, as have more than 22,000 hectares of green space.
The full extent of the losses isn't clear yet, but Hauk predicts considerable yield and quality losses for many farmers. Fruit and vegetable growers are hit particularly hard as their crops like cherries and raspberries have been destroyed or severely damaged. Hauk, however, doesn't expect the damage to lead to higher prices. The affected area isn't large enough for that. The forestry sector has also suffered with damages beyond 3 million euros. Hauk explains that paths have either been washed away or destroyed as a result of landslides and other damage.
With all this in mind, Hauk suggests that nature and species conservation practices should be reexamined following this bout with flooding. He suggests that stream and drainage ditch clean up projects are necessary to prevent future damage. Additionally, he raises the idea of turning self-managed forest reserves, known as "bann forests," into conservation areas to avoid potential dangers posed by washed out deadwood and other hazards. The minister stresses that "there must be no taboos" when it comes to rethinking these practices.
The day before, Hauk requested increased federal aid to support agricultural businesses in dealing with flooding and extreme storms. He notes that the ever-growing intensity and frequency of severe weather patterns are pushing the limits of risk management and state emergency measures. The agricultural sector needs insurance coverage that's reliable against weather-related losses.
