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The farmers criticized too much bureaucracy. Cem Özdemir now wants to change that. “Clean up unnecessary bureaucracy,” says a new paper. But what does that mean in concrete terms?
“Bureaucracy is our death”, “Stop the regulation madness” or “Stop the bureaucratic madness”: On the sidelines of the farmers’ protests, German farmers expressed their displeasure with “politics”. This often also included what they saw as unnecessary bureaucracy.
Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir wants to counteract this. The Green politician sees reducing bureaucracy as one of his main tasks as minister. “I have made up my mind to go down in history with this,” said Özdemir at the end of March at the European conference “Europe 2024”. After the Agriculture Ministers’ Conference, he promised: “We are making headway in reducing unnecessary bureaucracy.” Özdemir has not yet been particularly specific, however. Behind the scenes, the ministry is already working on proposals.
More relief for German farmers: Özdemir wants to “clean up unnecessary bureaucracy”
The Ministry of Agriculture wants to “do away with unnecessary bureaucracy”, as it says in a paper entitled “Creating freedom. Strengthening farmers”. The document is available IPPEN.MEDIA In finding this “freedom”, the federal government worked together with the states and associations such as the Farmers’ Association. The result: Among other things, a simplification of European regulations. In the letter, the ministry mentions changes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EUMany farmers see Brussels as a bogeyman because of its misguided agricultural policy. The EU is governing over the heads of farmers, was often said during the protests.
The Federal Government cannot influence all EU decisions. However, the corresponding CAP conditionality law should be amended “before the summer recess in the Bundestag”. In essence, the following changes are planned:
- Abolition of Controls and sanctions for farms up to 10 hectares in area.
- Easements for permanent crops in wetlands and moorlands.
- Fewer permits: If a permit has already been granted under building law for the conversion of permanent grassland into non-agricultural land, there will no longer be a need for a further permit under agricultural or CAP funding law.
- Fewer regulations: Organic farms that permanently operate without chemical pesticides should be specifically exempted from erosion reduction requirements.
Farmers also no longer have to renew their proof of being an active farm owner every year, but can reuse an existing proof. This should therefore be less of a hassle.
Less farmer bureaucracy: Özdemir plans easier payments for farmers
In addition, money should be easier to obtain. The ministry is promising adjustments to the requirements for direct payments as well as area- and animal-related payments. “We will now make numerous simplifications to these requirements beyond the adjustment to new EU regulations.” In essence, this means, among other things:
- Less bureaucratic payments for ewes and goats, for example by abolishing the cut-off date rule.
- Simplification of the agroforestry eco-regulation. The highest premium level should always apply to the first hectare.
- Money for special products. The cultivation of additional crops without pesticides, such as millet, amaranth, buckwheat or quinoa, should be rewarded.
These changes are to be prepared by mid-July and will come into effect at the beginning of 2025. The ministry promises: “This package of measures will lead to a noticeable relief for farmers, small businesses, livestock farmers, arable farming and grassland. Everyone will benefit noticeably.”
Less reporting stress for farmers: “Farmers often spend unnecessary amounts of time at their desks”
Another major point mentioned by the ministry is the reporting and documentation requirements in agriculture. These must be simplified. In animal husbandry, “reporting requirements are to be reduced, deadlines standardized and streamlined digital solutions offered.” In wine-growing, the ministry is planning to amend the wine monitoring regulation “in order to abolish or simplify some accounting and reporting requirements that are no longer required under EU law.” There are also changes in agricultural statistics, plant cultivation and the EU organic regulation.
Further relaxations are also conceivable. “Simplifications in the area of taxes and accounting, simplifications for agricultural and forestry vehicles, the implementation of the Online Access Act or a standardization of implementation at state level would bring further relief for agriculture.”
“Practical solutions” – but also do justice to environmental protection
However, Özdemir stressed that reducing bureaucracy should not be at the expense of the environment. It is about “finding practical solutions for farmers” and “doing justice to the climate, biodiversity and food security equally,” he said on Wednesday after a special conference with the countries’ agriculture ministers.
However, the concept of reducing bureaucracy is intended to make farmers’ everyday work noticeably easier. “Instead of being able to work in the fields, stables, vineyards or farm shops, farmers often spend an unnecessary amount of time at their desks.” That is set to change. (as)
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