Farmers' association raises alarm about drought and calls for immediate measures

The ongoing drought is also a major problem for agriculture. That's why the farmers' association is now sounding the alarm: harvest losses are to be expected, and in southern Germany in some cases even total failures. The grain harvest is particularly affected.

Because of the difficult situation facing farmers, the association is now calling for three immediate measures from politicians. On the one hand, the EU should pay more subsidies and the money should reach farmers earlier, namely in October instead of December. And: The tax on diesel should be significantly reduced. According to farmers' president Joachim Rukwied, this would help farmers in the short term and provide relief.

Michael Bauchmüller from the Berlin parliamentary office of the SZ classifies these demands of the farmers' association; he deals a lot with agricultural policy.