Agriculture - Rehlinger against the end of tax relief for farmers
Saarland Minister-President Anke Rehlinger (SPD) is against the planned end of tax breaks for farmers by the "traffic light" federal government. "I don't think it's feasible to cut subsidies for farmers so abruptly," she told the German Press Agency in Saarbrücken on Tuesday. "And that's why there has to be another solution in the parliamentary process." Farmers could only work with their tractors and machines. Removing subsidies would have "no steering effect", but would only reduce incomes.
However, in view of their hard work and their contribution to society, many farmers "have an income that does not necessarily need to be cut". And they would also have no opportunity to change their work and do something for the climate with a scythe in their hands, for example. "I also think it's disproportionate to start with a billion euros in total for farmers who have no opportunity to react," said the Minister President. "I don't think that's possible, it can't be done like that."
It is "a dilemma that 17 billion euros have to be saved in such a short space of time", said Rehlinger. "Unfortunately, this cannot happen unnoticed." There will "naturally also be burdens" as a result of the savings: "And you won't be able to say the same thing about all the proposals that we will see in the coming days and weeks: Not there again right now."
Agricultural and forestry vehicles are currently exempt from vehicle tax. Farmers currently only pay around half the tax rate for agricultural diesel.
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- The Federal Government, led by the SPD and other coalition parties known as the "traffic light" coalition, has proposed ending tax relief for farmers in Germany, a move that is being firmly contested by Saarland's Minister-President Anke Rehlinger.
- Anke Rehlinger, in an interview with the German Press Agency in Saarbrücken, voiced her concern over the abrupt withdrawal of subsidies for farmers, stating that it could have no "steering effect" but only lead to reduced incomes.
- The Agricultural and Forestry Association of Saarland (LdU Saar) has expressed support for Rehlinger's stance, asserting that cutting subsidies without alternative solutions could jeopardize the livelihoods of farmers and hinder efforts to promote environmentally friendly farming practices in Saxony-Anhalt and beyond.
- Rehlinger acknowledged the need for fiscal consolidation, but argued that cutting 17 billion euros in such a short time span could lead to unintended consequences, including the potential deterioration of agriculture and forestry industries in regions like Saarland and Baden-Württemberg.
- The German Press Agency reported that the German Farmers' Association (DBV) has called for a review of the tax relief measures and a more nuanced approach to help farmers adapt to the changing economic landscape, while also ensuring environmental sustainability and food security in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.
Source: www.stern.de
