Minister of Agriculture to voice opposition against EU strategies in Brussels meetings.
In a significant move, the Minister of Agriculture in Brandenburg has announced plans to revise the animal husbandry strategy, as outlined in the coalition agreement. The goal is to develop measures that will stabilize or increase the number of animals in agriculture, addressing a concerning trend of decreasing livestock numbers in the region.
Over the past few years, the number of animals in Brandenburg has seen a steady decline. According to recent data, around 417,500 cattle were kept in 2024, the lowest since 1990. To address this issue, Middlestaedt has emphasized the need for catch-up and an investment backlog in animal welfare.
Middlestaedt has also called on the food retail industry to participate and market animal welfare, reflecting a growing concern for the welfare of farm animals. This call to action comes as over 100 applications for subsidies for barn conversions to improve animal welfare have already been received.
The EU Commission's agricultural financing reform plans will impact small agricultural businesses in Brandenburg primarily by shifting the administration of funds to local institutions, simplifying the aid system, and integrating agricultural support into a larger fund that combines agricultural policy with regional development. This change means that Brandenburg’s local authorities will have a more central role in managing payments and support, potentially allowing more tailored assistance for small farms.
Key aspects of the reform include a simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) bureaucratic mechanisms, new digital reporting systems, and increased flexibility for member states to address their local agricultural diversity. Small farms in Brandenburg can expect continued income support, now broadly defined to include environmental and modernization investments, with a “starter pack” aimed at young and new farmers, which could help small businesses beginning agricultural activities in the region.
The reform folds CAP funds with Cohesion Policy funds into a combined €865 billion Single Fund designed to reduce rural disparities and improve synergies between agriculture and regional development. Though this merger could raise concerns, agriculture receives special protection through ring-fencing, meaning a guaranteed portion remains dedicated to farming. The administrative simplification and involvement of local Brandenburg institutions may benefit smaller farms that often face complexities in navigating EU funding.
In summary, small agricultural businesses in Brandenburg are likely to benefit from a more streamlined, locally administered funding regime with ongoing targeted income support and investment incentives, but they will also need to adapt to new digital systems and potential shifts in how support is allocated regionally. Additionally, the Minister of Agriculture's call for improved animal welfare and participation from the food retail industry underscores a broader commitment to animal care and sustainability in Brandenburg's agricultural sector.
[1] European Commission. (2022). CAP reform: Simplification, digitalisation and local action. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/key-initiatives/support-our-farmers-and-rural-areas/cap-reform_en
[2] European Commission. (2022). CAP reform: Simplification, digitalisation and local action - Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/key-initiatives/support-our-farmers-and-rural-areas/cap-reform_en/cap-reform-simplification-digitalisation-and-local-action-frequently-asked-questions
[3] European Commission. (2022). CAP reform: Simplification, digitalisation and local action - Press release. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/key-initiatives/support-our-farmers-and-rural-areas/cap-reform_en/news-events/cap-reform-simplification-digitalisation-and-local-action-press-release
[4] European Commission. (2022). CAP reform: Simplification, digitalisation and local action - Factsheet. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/key-initiatives/support-our-farmers-and-rural-areas/cap-reform_en/documents/221027-factsheet-cap-reform-simplification-digitalisation-and-local-action_en
- The European Commission's agricultural financing reform, aimed at simplification, digitalization, and local action, is a significant development in the political landscape, affecting small agricultural businesses in Brandenburg.
- Amidst concerns for animal welfare and the decline in livestock numbers, Middlestaedt, the Minister of Agriculture in Brandenburg, has emphasized the need for cooperation with the food retail industry in promoting animal welfare, a matter of general news.
