“Rocked the country together”
Farmers’ leader Rukwied re-elected after attacks on traffic light coalition
26.06.2024, 21:29
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German farmers are coming together for their industry meeting. After the protests in the spring, the traffic light coalition has put together an aid package as promised – but as expected, this is not enough for the farmers. Association President Rukwied, however, signals partial approval.
Farmers’ President Joachim Rukwied continues to insist on course corrections in the traffic light coalition’s agricultural policy and is calling for additional relief for farmers. “We finally need an agricultural policy for our companies and not against our companies,” he said at the start of the German Farmers’ Day in Cottbus. A relief package from the coalition is “just a small package and light years away from what is necessary.” The association called for the withdrawal of planned regulations on fertilization and plant protection products.
Rukwied made it clear that farmers are speaking out with renewed self-confidence after the weeks-long wave of protests a few months ago. With the actions in the winter, the farmers “rocked the country together” and brought food security and the future of agriculture to the forefront of society. In doing so, they also proved that they stand for democracy and a common Europe.
After his speech, the 62-year-old was confirmed as president by the delegates with a large majority for another four years. He has headed the association since 2012. He received 409 of the 482 votes cast by the delegates. 58 delegates voted against his re-election, 15 abstained.
As far as the political success of the protests is concerned, Rukwied made a distinction. On the one hand, there is the EU with its large market, common rules and billions of euros in agricultural funding. In Brussels, European farmers have caused the agenda to change, for example by relaxing environmental regulations on fallow land. In Berlin, on the other hand, “the messages have obviously not been understood,” Rukwied raged. “The current federal government has not yet found the agricultural policy compass.”
“Go along – but no cheers”
A package of measures announced by the leaders of the SPD, Greens and FDP just before the Farmers’ Day will not change this. Some of the plans are to be finalized in the summer, as promised. Rukwied said that in order to finally take a small step, they had signaled that they were willing to go along with this path. “But if politicians now expect us to shout hurrah, to say ‘you did a great job’ – sorry, we can’t do that.”
Planned further regulations in animal husbandry, for example when it comes to trimming piglets’ curly tails, are causing additional discontent in the industry. If that happens, “the lights will be turned out for every last pig farmer,” said Rukwied, pointing to the already significant shrinkage in recent years.
In the morning, the Federal Statistical Office announced that 20.9 million pigs were kept in Germany as of May 3 – 1.3 percent more than in November and even a quarter less than ten years ago. The number of farms fell by 3.2 percent to 15,700 in May compared to November. Compared to the previous ten years, the number was 42 percent less. This also shows that the trend towards larger farms is continuing.
Debate about meat prices
The farmers’ president also stressed that climate protection, animal welfare and biodiversity remain important guidelines for agriculture. However, this must be achieved through incentives and new technologies, not through bans. Rukwied complained that the coalition has still not reached any resolutions for permanent financing of the conversion of animal husbandry to higher standards. He also reiterated his agreement that the VAT on meat could be increased by two or three points from the current reduced seven percent – but not to the full rate of 19 percent, so that lower-income families can continue to buy meat and sausage.
FDP agricultural politician Gero Hocker rejected industry demands for rising food prices. They have already risen significantly as a result of inflation. “High-quality food must remain affordable for the general population.” The German Environmental Aid welcomed the fact that the coalition is striving to improve the position of farmers in relation to the market power of supermarkets. However, the fact that the Farmers’ Association speaks in general terms of “impractical requirements” when it comes to necessary improvements in animal welfare rules raises the question of how agricultural subsidies can be justified in the long term.