Ellwangen: Özdemir defends his agricultural coverage from protesting farmers | EUROtoday

Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) has his speech at a farmers’ rally in Ellwangen, Baden-Württemberg Agricultural coverage defended. With regard to the subsidy cuts for agriculture, which have now been partially withdrawn by the federal authorities, Özdemir emphasised that he had campaigned for a withdrawal instantly after the selections of the visitors mild leaders turned identified. At the identical time, he additionally demanded “fairness” from the protesting farmers. Özdemir acquired boos for his phrases – but in addition applause.

Özdemir emphasised that he doesn’t agree with the deliberate subsidy cuts for farmers. However, he was not included as a specialist minister. “If this had been the case, the decisions would not have been made,” stated Özdemir. In the longer term, one thing like this shouldn’t be determined solely on the visitors mild desk. The skilled affiliation should essentially be concerned.

Gradual cuts are “nothing”

The central level of criticism of the farmers’ protests at present going down is that the subsidies for agricultural diesel needs to be step by step eradicated. What was achieved right here, nevertheless, was that the cuts would solely are available in “three stages,” stated Özdemir. That was “nothing,” he stated Baden-Württemberg native Green Party politicians, drowned out by boos. He had “already pushed through something,” he added.

Özdemir acquired applause for his name for better appreciation and mutual understanding within the debate. In the previous, earlier than he took workplace as Federal Minister of Agriculture, a coverage had been made “that meant cheap for export – and not quality,” he stated. In addition, the “four big ones” divided the meals retail enterprise amongst themselves.

“Were they all Greens? Was it all me?” Özdemir requested rhetorically, referring to the agricultural coverage of the previous years and a long time and referred to as for “a little more fairness”. “Let’s tackle this together,” he stated. “This is the only way we will be successful.”

Regarding the agricultural coverage he’s aiming for, Özdemir emphasised that there should be an acceptable worth for “good products”. If there are political necessities for agriculture, comparable to extra animal welfare or extra biodiversity, then politics should additionally present the monetary sources for this, he stated. In addition, the place of farmers within the worth chain should be strengthened. Özdemir additionally introduced up the event of options to agricultural diesel.