Farmers in Saxony-Anhalt are planning to protest

Sachsen-Anhalt: Farmers plan to protest

Planned large-scale protests by farmers in Saxony-Anhalt

Farmers are planning large-scale protests in Saxony-Anhalt. The state farmers' association president, Olaf Feuerborn, told the German Press Agency on Wednesday that one reason for the action was the federal government's plans for a so-called gas levy.

The gas levy is intended to prevent energy companies from getting into financial difficulties as a result of the sharp rise in gas prices as a result of the Russian war against Ukraine. The levy is to be paid by all gas customers in Germany and is expected to cost around 9.5 billion euros.

Feuerborn criticized the fact that the aid package for farmers announced by Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) only applies to energy-intensive companies. The majority of farmers do not fall into this category.

In addition, the farmers are also protesting against the plans for a European ban on pesticides. The EU Commission had presented a corresponding draft law last June. According to the plans, the use of chemical pesticides is to be reduced by 50 percent by 2030. The use of particularly dangerous pesticides should no longer be possible.

The farmers fear that the ban on pesticides will lead to lower yields and thus to income losses. Feuerborn said that farmers in Saxony-Anhalt would now discuss the form of the protests in the coming days.