Backhaus warns: EU cuts endanger agriculture in MV!

Backhaus warns: EU cuts endanger agriculture in MV!

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Deutschland - In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus caused a stir with his critical statements about the planned reforms of the EU for promoting agriculture. Today, on July 9, 2025, he expressed his concerns in an announcement before a special conference with German counterparts in Berlin. Backhaus describes the common agricultural policy (GAP) as one of the most important pillars of European cooperation and emphasizes its role in ensuring stable food supply and fair income for farmers.

The EU Commission's reformed plans for the funding period from 2028 to 2034 take care of the minister. A possible outsourcing of rural development from the agricultural program and drastic budget cuts could have far-reaching consequences for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Since 1990, the state has invested around 27 billion euros in EU funds from the GAP funds in agriculture and rural development. Backhaus points out that these investments were decisive for the transformation of East German agriculture. In addition, payments from Brussels make up over a third of the farmers' income in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which illustrates the urgency of the situation.

demands for independent budget and more trust

To improve the situation, Backhaus demands an independent, adequate budget for the upcoming funding period and a guaranteed regional middle administration. He pays particular attention to a practical simplification of the funding guidelines and more confidence in the personal responsibility of the companies. "Farmers need choices, clear structures and reliable commitments," says his words. In addition, incentives for environmental and climate protection measures should be in the foreground instead of creating unnecessary requirements.

The new funding period of the GAP starts under difficult conditions, such as [government M-V] (https://www.gregierung-mv.de/landes government/lm/?id=197389&processor=processor.sa.PressMeItung) reports. This year, around 268 million euros will be distributed to direct payments, which are intended for the fundamental support for sustainability and special services to improve environmental and water quality.

future challenges and adjustments

The challenge for the GAP remains to adapt to the changes in the living conditions in Europe. Agriculture is increasingly seeing itself in the field of tension between social and ecological responsibility and economic necessities. As BMEL, there is a clear orientation on the market, while donations are directly bound to social services. Over 500 million citizens in the 27 EU member states benefit from a diverse food supply and uniform quality standards.