The week of action by German farmers against the cuts in subsidies for agricultural diesel began today.
Brussels (OTS) – The planned reduction in subsidies for agricultural diesel is causing protests across Germany. Farmers are blocking traffic with thousands of tractors, and radical groups have partly infiltrated the protests locally.
In mid-December 2023, the German federal government planned a package of measuresto plug billion-dollar holes in the budget. Among other things, the tax breaks on diesel in the agricultural sector should be reduced (currently 21.48 cents per liter). The vehicle tax exemption for tractors should be dropped. After massive protests, the German federal government has already backtracked: the subsidies should only be gradually reduced and the tax exemption will remain.
Sarah Wiener, Green MEP and member of the Agriculture Committee, comments:
„The threat of radicalization of the widespread protests is a worrying development. I appeal to the farmers’ association to ensure that the demonstrations do not go beyond measure and aim.
In addition, we must not forget where the actual problems lie: The agro-industrial system is based on the use of chemical pesticides and artificial fertilizers that are harmful to the environment and health in order to produce ever cheaper products. The farmers’ work is hardly compensated by the low prices in the supermarket, agricultural subsidies are still paid out per hectare at EU level and those who don’t grow with them have to give way.
The farmers are dependent on trade and agricultural companies and are under enormous pressure. A general understanding of the protests against the cuts is therefore appropriate, but in the long term what is needed above all is a rethink and a strategy on how a transformation towards ecologically and economically sustainable agriculture can succeed. This is the only way farmers can become more independent of subsidies, expensive pesticides and fertilizers and monopolistic trading structures.
In the end, diesel subsidies only alleviate the symptoms of a broken system. We know what sustainable, future-proof and robust agriculture can look like that benefits people, animals and the environment – now this vision just needs to be consistently supported financially.”
Questions & Contact:
Ludmilla Reisinger/press spokeswoman Sarah Wiener, MEP
ludmilla.reisinger@la.europarl.europa.eu
+43 660 3213732