Farmers Down Tools Over Planned Diesel Tax Hikes
Thousands of frustrated farmers, voicing their discontent with the government's plans to end agricultural diesel subsidies and vehicle tax exemptions, took to the streets of Berlin, lining the streets with their tractors and calling for change.
The rally, organized by the farmers' association, saw banners bearing slogans like "Hands off agricultural diesel," "Tractors instead of tanks," and "You make taxpayers' money sacrifices - green meadows, livestock, and fields." Tractor convoys and manure left on the roads disrupted traffic around the Brandenburg Gate, with an estimated 6,600 to 1700 tractors participating in the demonstration.
The farmers' association president, Joachim Rukwied, slammed the government's proposed fiscal savings plans, arguing that the industry would face an additional €1 billion per year in expenses. He labeled the government's proposals as a "declaration of war" and demanded they be withdrawn, threatening major action in January.
Cem Özdemir, the Federal Agriculture Minister, tried to appease the angry protestors but was met with hostility. Özdemir conceded that more savings were needed but argued against disproportionate cuts in agriculture. He emphasized his efforts to prevent the proposed cuts from materializing and was forced to address the group's anger one last time before the rally concludes.
The proposed cuts have sparked widespread frustration among farmers, whose livelihoods depend on these subsidies. The increased production costs resulting from the proposed cuts would, in turn, lead to higher food imports from countries with less rigorous environmental standards.
According to industry figures, the average profit of farms increased by 45% to €115,400 in the 2022/23 financial year, but farmers are pessimistic about future prospects with decreasing grain, oilseed, and milk prices. Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir urged farmers to listen to his statements, as well as avoid damaging derogatory remarks.
Infuriated politicians from the CDU/CSU, such as Albert Stegemann and Michaela Kaniber (CSU), have accused the coalition government of harming rural areas with austerity measures, calling for more support for the agricultural sector.
Environmental organization Greenpeace supports the government's decision to end the agricultural diesel subsidy, deeming it as an expensive and harmful policy that should be phased out, while the German Federation for Environment and Nature Conservation warns that the simultaneous end of the motor vehicle tax exemption sends the wrong message to a profession under immense pressure to innovate.
The protests have garnered public sympathy, with a majority of Germans understanding and supporting the farmers' demands, further fueling their resolve to continue the demonstrations.
