Farmers' association calls for targeted investments

The Saxon State Farmers' Association is calling on the new federal government to make targeted investments in agriculture to maintain competitiveness. "We are calling for clear framework conditions and sustainable funding so that agriculture remains a pillar of our society in the future," said Torsten Krawczyk, President of the SLB, at the Farmers' Day in Weinböhla.

He called for fair treatment of agriculture in the coalition negotiations between the CDU and SPD for a new federal government. Although it had been possible to retain agricultural diesel benefits, a large proportion of this money was at risk of being used for wage increases due to the minimum wage.

Animal farmers in Saxony under pressure

Krawczyk also called for animal husbandry to be strengthened. In the last legislative period, 30 percent of pigs and 14 percent of cattle were lost in Saxony. Krawczyk advocated a different approach to crop protection. Instead of thinning out more and more, a broad range of active ingredients should be maintained.

Reducing bureaucracy was a recurring theme in Weinböhla. According to Krawczyk, deep rifts had opened up between practice and administration, which needed to be pacified.

Minister of Agriculture Breitenbuch plans change of course

Saxony's Minister of Agriculture Georg-Ludwig von Breitenbuch (CDU) - himself a farmer - announced a change of course in his office. He clearly criticized both his predecessor Wolfram Günther (Greens) and the outgoing federal government of the SPD, Greens and FDP. Much had been blocked in Berlin and the necessary freedom of movement had been "tied up". He wanted to rebuild trust between farmers and the administration.

Breitenbuch spoke out in favour of more freedom in plant protection and fertilizer law as well as maintaining the special status of agriculture with regard to the minimum wage. The wolf should be included in hunting law to make shooting possible.

However, priorities must be set. "We're out of money, I have to say that clearly," said Breitenbuch. Not everything that was possible under Günther will be retained. For example, there will be no Green Week this year. Breitenbuch also announced the end of the Saxon lynx reintroduction program, saying that the funding had been cut.