Farmers' President warns: EU reform plans endanger our agricultural policy!

Farmers' President warns: EU reform plans endanger our agricultural policy!

Agriculture is simmering in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Farmers' President Karsten Trunk is making serious accusations against the European Union's planned reforms to promote agriculture. His words are current: “lost your mind”. The President warns of a threatening development that could endanger not only European agricultural policy, but also the existence of many companies. In particular, the proposed merger of the agricultural fund with other policy areas could have fatal consequences. “The common agricultural policy is the cornerstone of Europe,” said Trunk. But the plans contained in the European Commission's draft appear to be shaking precisely this pillar.

The concerns go hand in hand with the pressure that was noticeable at the Special Agriculture Ministers' Conference (AMK) in Berlin, where Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania was clearly committed to continuing and maintaining a stable agricultural policy. Minister of Agriculture Dr. Till Backhaus emphasized how important the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is for a secure food supply and fair incomes. “We also need to ensure that rural development does not fall by the wayside,” explained Backhaus, in view of possible cuts in the EU's upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and uncertain structural changes. Stern.de

How serious the situation is is shown by the fact that Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has invested an impressive 27 billion euros from CAP funds in agriculture and rural development since reunification. These funds account for more than a third of farmers' income in the state. Trunk therefore calls for an independent, adequately equipped agricultural budget to ensure planning security. Larger companies in particular could be severely affected by undermined funding, fueling fears that the interests of less privileged countries will dominate the common goals of the CAP.

At the ministerial conference, three different scenarios for the future of the CAP from 2028 were also presented: A single EU fund could pool all resources, or it would be conceivable to separate rural development from the CAP. The worst thing would be if budgets were severely cut. These uncertainties make it all the more important for farmers to create precise planning horizons and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.

But what does this mean for jobs in the EU? According to current statistics, over 9.4 million people were employed in agriculture in 2019. In Germany alone, there were 597,000 employees in agriculture and over 625,200 in food production in 2018. These figures make it clear how important agriculture is for the entire economy. For every euro spent in the agricultural sector, it generates an additional 0.76 euros for the entire EU economy. Government MV

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is now calling for rural development to be anchored in the CAP and a practical simplification of the funding architecture. Targeted incentives are intended to promote environmental and climate protection measures and strengthen value creation through regional marketing structures. The minister appeals for a modern, practical CAP from 2028 that includes both incentive orientation and recognition of agricultural services to society. This is necessary not only to stabilize the agricultural economy, but also to ensure sustainable, future-proof rural development.

Against this background, it becomes clear how important it is that the voice of farmers and agriculture is heard. The coming decisions at European level are crucial and it remains to be seen how things will develop. While farmers continue to fight for their existence, the hope is that the right course will be set in Brussels. Europarl.eu