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Yesterday, Germany's coalition government announced its intention to partially reverse the planned cuts to agricultural subsidies. "We - the SPD, Greens and FDP - have agreed that the motor vehicle tax exemption for agricultural and forestry vehicles will remain as before. The green licence plate will remain. The agricultural diesel subsidy will be reduced over several years: In 2024, the rate of relief will be reduced by 40 per cent. In 2025 and 2026, there will be a further reduction of 30 per cent in each year, meaning that there will no longer be a subsidy for quantities used in 2026. The reimbursement of the quantities consumed in 2023 in 2024 will remain unchanged," said Cem Özdemir, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, in a press release.
However, this was again criticised by winegrowers and farmers. "Maintaining the tax exemption for agricultural and forestry vehicles is a first step, but the agricultural diesel tax rebate must also be maintained at the current level," said Michael Horper, President of the Rhineland-Nassau Farmers' and Winegrowers' Association, commenting on the government's proposal, while the German Farmers' Association also considers the course correction to be insufficient and is sticking to a week of action planned from Monday.
The German Winegrowers' Association (DWV) is calling for peaceful protest. "We expect all those involved to take another close look at the problem and the effects on our industry - and to reconsider the decision," said the President of the German Winegrowers' Association, Klaus Schneider. He himself intends to take part in a planned major demonstration in Mainz next Wednesday. Loudly - but of course peacefully!", demanded DWV President Klaus Schneider.
(ru / Press releases)