Lightening the Burden for Farmers in Schleswig-Holstein
Farmers in the north of Germany are set to receive a major boost, thanks to a nine-point plan proposed by Minister President Daniel Günther. The plan was warmly received at the State Farmers' Day in Rendsburg, following a build-up by Farmers' President Klaus-Peter Lucht. The key relief point for farmers and the state government is a reduction in red tape.
Reducing the regulatory burden will bring significant relief to farmers, for instance, in hedge maintenance. From September 15, farmers will now be able to trim lateral growth every three years, instead of October 1 as before. Hedges can now also be completely chopped until the end of February. Measures will be taken to combat persistent weeds in plant protection. The requirement to report fertilizers will only be necessary semi-annually. Pig farmers will also see relief as they no longer need a building permit for creating outdoor areas.
A unified digital platform for communication between farmers and the state government was announced. This platform will streamline documentation and eliminate double entries. Günther addressed the oft-digitalized farmers: "I have to admit - you're much more advanced in this tech game than we are, and it's a joke that it's often us who lag behind and you carry the cumbersome bureaucratic burden."
Günther also pledged to reduce documentation requirements for antibiotics. He emphasized that these requirements are stricter in Schleswig-Holstein than in other states. Tending to agriculture remain Günther's priority.
Call for Food Self-Sufficiency
In his speech, the President of the Schleswig-Holstein Farmers' Association, Klaus-Peter Lucht, argued for a more self-sufficient food supply. "We need food self-sufficiency," said Lucht at the State Farmers' Day, taking place alongside the Norla agricultural fair in Rendsburg. This emphasis comes in light of global crises, such as the war in Europe, to avoid potential empty shelves in the future.
Lucht also emphasized the importance of collaboration between agriculture and environmental concerns. "There's no tension between politics and agriculture," he demanded. "Only cooperation." Companies are already addressing issues such as biodiversity and climate protection, while farmers are aware of their business responsibilities towards their enterprises.
Lucht advocated for further reduction in bureaucracy. "We need to scale this back again," he insisted. Politics should have more trust in informed individuals in agriculture.
Criticism from Environmentalists
Environmental groups, however, voiced concerns about future hedge changes. "If hedges can now be trimmed back laterally from September, we're worried that machinery may harm valuable habitats for biodiversity," said Dietmar Ulbrich, chairman of BUND Schleswig-Holstein.
The easing of regulations includes a reduction in the frequency of fertilizer reporting and the ability for farmers to trim hedges back every three years from September 15 and chop them completely until the end of February.
In response to criticism from environmentalists about the new hedge regulations, Minister President Daniel Günther defended the changes as necessary to reduce bureaucracy and lighten the burden on farmers.
Further Reading:
Historical Context:
- Denmark's agricultural reforms in the 18th and 19th centuries helped realign the balance of power between peasants and landowners. These reforms, including enclosures and land consolidation, aimed to increase agricultural productivity by creating more efficient land use and promoting precision farming methods through the establishment of organizations such as the Royal Danish Agricultural Society.
- The effects of these reforms are still visible in modern-day Denmark, as the country has a highly competitive and efficient agricultural sector with high-quality products. However, these ancient agricultural reforms did not address the increasingly pressing issue of environmental sustainability.
