Rural space - Minister warns of continuing dissatisfaction among farmers
After farmers' protests at the beginning of the year, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) warned of persistent dissatisfaction among farmers on a Friday during a debate in the state parliament about the rural situation. "I understand the frustration some farmers still feel," said the Minister. He wished for more easements for farmers. The fact that farmers no longer have to leave four percent of their land fallow is a good step by the EU Commission, but it's not enough, Backhaus said. More is needed.
Steuerbefreiung for Agricultural Biodiesel
The proposals from the traffic light coalitions in Berlin could only be a first step. "I'm not satisfied with that," said the Minister. He spoke in favor of a tax exemption for biodiesel in the agricultural sector.
The traffic light coalition in Berlin agreed on a relief package for agriculture in June. It includes tax relief and less bureaucracy. However, the German Farmers' Association is also demanding further steps. Farmers' Association President Joachim Rukwied recently did not exclude further protests against the agricultural policy of the federal government.
More than two thirds live outside metropolitan areas
In a statement, Backhaus called for a stronger focus of federal politics on the rural area on that Friday. "More than two thirds of the population in Germany live outside metropolitan areas, more than half in villages and small towns. Many of these people feel neglected and simply abandoned. That's a dangerous development," so the Minister.
At the same time, Backhaus referred to investments in the rural area that the public sector would support. Important funding priorities are land consolidation, village development, and the creation and securing of schools and kindergartens.
- Despite the EU Commission's decision to no longer require farmers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to leave four percent of their land fallow, Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) expressed dissatisfaction, stating that it's not enough.
- Speaking in Berlin, Backhaus expressed his discontentment with the proposed relief package for agriculture, calling for a tax exemption for biodiesel in the agricultural sector.
- In response to the ongoing farmers' protests, the German Farmers' Association, led by President Joachim Rukwied, has not ruled out further actions against the agricultural policy of the federal government.
- In a statement, Backhaus emphasized the need for a stronger focus on rural areas, as more than two thirds of the German population live outside metropolitan areas.
- Recognizing the importance of the rural areas, Backhaus highlighted public sector investments in areas such as land consolidation, village development, and the creation and securing of schools and kindergartens.
