Backhaus warns: EU cuts endanger agriculture in MV!

Backhaus warns: EU cuts endanger agriculture in MV!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus is causing a stir with his critical statements about the EU's planned reforms to promote agriculture. Today, 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 (CAP) as one of the most important pillars of European cooperation and emphasizes its role in ensuring stable food supplies and fair incomes for farmers.

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

Demands for independent budgets and more trust

In order to improve the situation, Backhaus is calling for an independent, adequate budget for the coming funding period and guaranteed regional funding management. He pays particular attention to a practical simplification of the funding guidelines and more trust in the companies' personal responsibility. “Farmers need choices, clear structures and reliable commitments,” he said. In addition, the focus should be on incentives for environmental and climate protection measures instead of creating unnecessary requirements.

The new CAP funding period starts under difficult conditions, as Government M-V reports. This year, around 268 million euros will be distributed in direct payments intended for basic income support for sustainability and for special services to improve environmental and water quality.

Future challenges and adjustments

The challenge for the CAP remains to constantly adapt to changing living conditions in Europe. Agriculture increasingly finds itself caught between social and ecological responsibility and economic necessity. As BMEL states, there is a clear orientation towards the market, while direct donations are tied to social services. Over 500 million citizens in the 27 EU member states benefit from a diverse range of food and uniform quality standards.

It is clear that the coming reforms and developments in EU agricultural policy are of enormous importance for farmers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and beyond. Minister Backhaus' words should be understood as a clear appeal not to lose sight of the needs of agriculture and to do justice to them. It remains to be seen how the discussions at the special conference in Berlin and the upcoming decisions will shape the future of agricultural support.