In recent days, farmers have been protesting and honking — especially honking their horns. They are demonstrating against cutting tax benefits and everyone is divided as to who is right now. So far, so complicated.
In the report, it is repeatedly stated that Farmers' protests It has always existed and the population supports it. But in times of climate change, demanding climate-damaging subsidies cannot be in the interest of the entire population. When assessing the protests, you also have to Environmental and climate protection take into account. However, the cuts in subsidies Not at all the real reason for that. Rather, for years, they have wanted a Transformation in agriculture. In this article, you can find out what is going well and what is bad and how everyone can contribute to better agriculture.
In fact, farmers have always provided for everyone in the country. After all, the importance of the profession is also reflected in EU subsidies: Each year, the European Union supports the sector with 387 billion euros. germany sustains 6 billion euros of that. The state pays this directly to farmers. Around half of the subsidies are now linked to environmental requirements. For example, whether Blossom strips are planted or when certain seeds are included in the crop rotation. Nevertheless, the main criterion is the areaWhy the large companies more money received. However, this does not apply to those who only lease their land, for example.
The demonstrations started after the announcement that Subsidies for motor vehicles and diesel to abbreviate. Not only farmers but all citizens will probably have to say goodbye to climate-damaging subsidies in the long term. After the cuts, there are still 40,000 euros grants per year.
However, the financing of diesel plays a subordinate role in climate terms. The prices in the supermarket are getting loud Foodwatch Don't increase either. And small businesses profit generally lesser of these two perks. Rather, the reason is dissatisfaction with agricultural policy generally.
Zur Profit increase to 82,000 Large companies in particular contributed euros in 2021. Die Number of businesses Has almost changed in 20 years halved upon 260,000. Many smaller businesses had to be abandoned.
Farmers would prefer it if they were not dependent on financial support at all. Do you want the rates thus shapingthat they have their own Cover costs yourself Can. The problem is that supermarkets, which the Press prices. Producers earn 25 cents on one liter of milk and around one cent on a roll. It is obvious that this is not enough.
In order to survive on the world market, farmers in the EU need subsidies. Because the fact that agriculture secures our supply is not the whole truth. Wir producing A lot for the (European) Auslandwhile we did most of the goods ourselves importing. How important is the profession then for domestic supply? However, it could be important when it comes to responsible use The land goes. It has immediate consequences whether farmers use the land for animal feed or for plants and grains that humans eat. It has consequences for how they handle the soil and how they fertilize and spray plants.
These decisions affect the climate and fall back on it when it either rains far too long due to climate change or does not rain at all for far too long. The consequences are already visible today: The use of plant protection products has Insect deaths, fertilizing and plowing leach the soil. As a result, the yields invariably lesser, which is also not beneficial for farmers.
There are already numerous ideas, options and methods to restore soil quality and thus increase yields. For example, flowering strips can to reduce soil erosion and Green wasteland Can for more biodiversity worry. If these are expensive measures for farmers, they could be financially relieved.
that Rethink via environmental protection It must therefore take place both among producers and in politics. If a farm opts for responsible use, this must also be financially rewarded. Die transformation It therefore consists in In harmony with the climate to work and to do so profitably and fairly. Transformation is necessary to meet the challenge of climate change. In particular, contribute to this undertakings With — also agricultural.
The decision to operate sustainably may also fail due to the Short-termism The political decisions for the industry. The goals for agriculture usually change in every legislative period. Farmers must then adapt to new regulations or construction measures every four years. For example, stables must be converted if the animals are to have more space for animal welfare reasons. However, the building only pays off after 30 years. This is a huge expense for farmers, including financially. For the animal, maybe a few centimeters jump out and the animal welfare label, which is in the foreground.
That such short-term changes Is an imposition for farmers that farmers are upset about, is not surprising. Politicians could address climate protection as clear goal for agriculture and determine that farmers have their rates for their products Set it yourself Can.
If agricultural products are to become more expensive again, manufacturers must also provide responsible environmentg with resources Can expect. And when a farmer decides to grow organically or switch from meat production to herbal products Switching over could also be promoted more. So what can we do?
Animal farms produce more meat than is eaten in Germany. 45 percent will exported to other European countries and exports to third countries are also increasing. If the meat was only for the German market and at a price that could cover operating costs, there might be a need for fewer or less large companies. Farmers could then actually ensure more animal welfare. When people are in addition less meat Consuming would also reduce demand. Less space could then be used to produce animal feed.
Fewer animals would also restrict manure production. that groundwaters Is with Nitrate pollutesbecause the fields are fertilized more than the plants can absorb. Cleaning is expensive and is paid for by end users' water bills.
sustainability In agriculture, therefore, also benefits for the consumers. Environmental protection must play a much bigger role in agriculture and must also be rewarded. The role of farmers as Nature ambassadors They must recognize themselves, but so must politicians and the population. Instead of keeping pigs, they could grow more protein-rich plants for meat substitutes, for example.
Die Livestock farming and the production of animal products contributes significantly to climate change at. The poor climate balance could also be reflected in the price, meaning that plant-based products would be cheaper than animal products.
At present, however, it is exactly the opposite. oat milk For example, is much more expensive than cow's milk. Of course, you can also take advantage of this advantage by not keeping cows but growing oats and then making your own oat milk. Die climate balance Oats are also significantly lower than that of cows. It cannot be enough to label cow's milk as climate-neutral.
For consumers, too, a stimulus are created less animal products to consume. Then you could also produce less. The result would, of course, be that you would probably export less Can. On the other hand, farmers would then actually be in favour of Security of supply responsible in the country.
More and more consumers are paying attention to where the products actually come from. For many, it is important that delivery routes are not too long and prefer to buy vegetables and fruit and other things from region. This is what companies use with Farm shops already to their advantage. Or they sell their products in the supermarket nearby.
Also numerous delivery services deliver regional or local products. For example, offers Message in a bottle offers many products that were produced in the region. However, regional products can also be found at Rewe stores or Edeka. The advantage for consumers is also that they receive vegetables, fruit and eggs without packaging.
Da sustainability, Regionality and seasonality If they are in vogue, farms could also jump on the bandwagon and restructure their production. Or present what is already sustainable extensively on social media. In doing so, they could also generate consumer interest in producing agricultural products.
For example, they can promote their work on social media. They could give people an insight into their stables or otherwise present their work. TikTok, for example, can be a suitable platform for this. Users thus receive entertainment and information at the same time.
Because agriculture is also not exempt from digital transformation. Consumers expect transparency — just like from other companies. Otherwise, they may even resort to prejudices because otherwise they will not receive any information. Farmers can show their working methods transparently. If they work in an environmentally or animal-friendly way, that's a good promo for them.
Farmers can also present themselves and their businesses in a way that benefits them as well. The advantage that they certainly have from this is that esteem their work and the Appreciation of agricultural products by consumers, who then also accept price increases. In addition, this creates vicinity and sympathy With the consumers.
Die Transforming agriculture is unavoidable in the long run. The environment would have to have an economic value that Farmers very good represented could. That would be such a long-term decision on the part of politicians that can be considered. Auch locality could be a good approach to avoid overproduction and resources toward spare. Both with regard to production as well as distribution as a local supplier. About a Farm shop, about a delivery service in the region or via direct sales to LEHS/Supermarkets.
For regional direct marketing in agriculture, FrachtPilot the perfect software. Get to know us and FrachtPilot. Here Can you a Book an appointment and the software Try it free for 30 days.
