Bavarian farmers demand urgent reforms as minister faces sharp criticism
Günther Felßner, president of the Bavarian Farmers’ Association (BBC), has called for 2024 to be a year of decisive action for German agriculture. He criticised Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) for failing to defend farmers’ interests in key negotiations, particularly over the Mercosur trade deal.
The BBC has also put forward 15 demands, urging Rainer to push for major reforms in livestock regulations and trade policies before Bavaria takes over the presidency of the Agricultural Ministers’ Conference in 2026.
Felßner accused Rainer of neglecting farmers’ concerns in the Mercosur trade talks. He argued that the government had rushed the agreement without fixing unfair agricultural terms. The BBC president also slammed the decision to tie the deal’s approval to funding for the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, calling it a misguided approach.
Another point of contention is the newly introduced certification rule for rodent control. Felßner demanded its removal, insisting that the previous extended expertise rule should be reinstated instead.
On livestock farming, the BBC proposed a 20-year grandfathering clause and relaxed regulations under the Federal Immission Control Act. Felßner stressed that the Animal Husbandry Labeling Act must be practical and paired with broader reforms to make a real difference.
Looking ahead, Felßner expects Bavaria to lead progress on agricultural issues at both national and EU levels during its 2026 presidency. However, he remains sceptical about whether strengthened safeguard clauses in the Mercosur deal will effectively protect farmers from market disruptions.
Felßner also highlighted Rainer’s absence at a recent Agricultural Council meeting in Brussels. He argued that the minister’s failure to attend showed a lack of commitment to defending German farmers’ interests at a critical time.
The BBC’s demands include major changes to livestock regulations, trade policies, and pest control rules. Felßner’s criticism puts pressure on Rainer to act before Bavaria’s 2026 presidency begins.
With farmers facing economic and regulatory challenges, the coming months will determine whether the government adjusts its approach to better support the agricultural sector.
Read also:
- American teenagers taking up farming roles previously filled by immigrants, a concept revisited from 1965's labor market shift.
- Weekly affairs in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Landslide claims seven lives, injures six individuals while they work to restore a water channel in the northern region of Pakistan
- Escalating conflict in Sudan has prompted the United Nations to announce a critical gender crisis, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the ongoing violence on women and girls.
