SCHWERIN (dpa-AFX) – Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) and representatives of the state’s farmers and fishermen’s associations have presented a compromise paper to end the nationwide farmers’ protests. After two hours of talks in Schwerin on Wednesday evening, they appealed to the federal government to take up the proposals and begin negotiations with the farmers’ association as quickly as possible.
“We want to build a bridge with our proposals,” said Backhaus. According to the compromise proposal, the tax exemption for agricultural vehicles should only be gradually abolished from 2028 instead of 2025. At the same time, an incentive program is to be launched for the use of biodiesel and biogas, which are obtained from local plants.
Alternative savings options for the federal budget are also mentioned. According to Backhaus, these include, among other things, the planned subsidies for more animal-friendly pigsties or the company car privilege for hybrid vehicles. “Savings can also be made in the environmental sector in the interest of social peace,” said Backhaus. As an example, he cited environmental projects that are to be financed with funds from the auction proceeds for offshore wind farms. There have already been unilateral cuts for the fishermen./fp/DP/he