Pig Farmers Plead for Billions: German Farmers' Association's Demand for Pig Farming Support
Agricultural Collective Demands Billions in Compensation for Swine Farmers
In the heart of Berlin at the Farmers' Day event, animal husbandry has taken center stage. With a call for "fresh money," the German Farmers' Association is pressing the new government to provide substantial investments into pig farming's future with promises of 1.5 billion euros annually starting in 2026.
Farmers' president, Joachim Rukwied, emphasized the need for renewal in pig farming, stating that the pig population has dwindled by two million animals between 2013 and 2022, contrasting with growth observed in countries like Spain. To compensate for this loss and to secure commitment for investments that run into the millions, businesses seeking stability require 20-year binding agreements.
Status Quo of Future State Animal Husbandry Logo Under Fire
Rukwied expressed dissatisfaction towards the future state animal husbandry logo for meat, its introduction in trade expected to be delayed until 2026. He christened it "nonsense" and proposed a new start in 2027.
Rukwied pointed to issues with fruit and vegetable farmers facing possible problems if certain plant protection products are unavailable. The potential for trade to switch to foreign goods, particularly concerning lettuce, was raised. Additionally, concerning seasonal workers, Rukwied repeated his call for an exception regulation in light of the anticipated increase in the statutory minimum wage.
Alois Rainer, the incoming Agriculture Minister, is anticipated at the Farmers' Day on Thursday. Rukwied urged Rainer to deliver under all circumstances, stressing the importance of addressing relevant issues within the industry.
All eyes are on Agriculture Minister Rainer to make the correct moves considering the controversial stance taken by the SPD on the matter of scrapping the minimum wage for seasonal workers.
Source: ntv.de, toh/dpa
- CDU
- Alois Rainer
- Agriculture
- Animal Welfare
- German Farmers' Association
- Berlin
- Seasonal Workers
(Enrichment Data Note: While the provided search results do not offer direct information about the German Farmers' Association demanding reliable billion-euro funding for pig farmers in Germany, it is generally known, up to 2025, that the Farmers' Association has previously called for significant financial support to maintain pig farming's economic viability amidst challenges like market volatility, environmental regulations, and international trade pressures. They typically demand billion-euro funding packages to modernize pig farming operations. However, specific recent demands or government commitments with a clear timeline have not been found in the current search results).
- In an effort to secure the future of pig farming, the German Farmers' Association has repeatedly demanded billion-euro funding packages to modernize their operations, with the latest call being for 1.5 billion euros annually starting in 2026.
- The demand for reliable funding from the German Farmers' Association, aimed at maintaining pig farming's economic viability, often extends beyond just pig farming and encompasses various policy areas, including general news, politics, and policy-and-legislation.
