August 15, 2018

Germany considers loosening up environmental rules to help farmers
 

As animal feed prices continue on an upward trend after the drought season, Germany is considering allowing some ecological compensation conversation areas, land kept as meadows, to be used for animal feed, the agriculture ministry said this week.

The conversation areas were mainly set up as a condition for farmers receiving some EU subsidies to create a more environmentally-friendly agricultural system.

"The continued dry period is a great challenge for farmers, especially for livestock farms, which in some areas lack feed for their animals," the ministry explained.

The ministry added that German agriculture minister, Julia Kloeckner will be bringing the concept up to the cabinet on Wednesday.

This year will be German's lowest recorded grain harvest in 24 years after the drought posed vital challenges causing crops to wilt under the highest summer temperatures since 1881.

However, the ministry said that it would only consider a major aid programme for farmers after the official harvest statistics become available in late August.
 

Source: Successful Farming