Bavaria has lost at least 5,000 square kilometers of fields, meadows and pastures in less than 50 years. This corresponds to almost two thirds of the area of Middle Franconia. In 1980, the agricultural area in Bavaria was just under 37,600 square kilometers, and in 2022 it was 32,500, as a comparison of the “area surveys according to type of actual use” from the State Statistical Office from several decades shows. Actual recent losses may be even higher.
In the latest agricultural structure survey by the Fürth authorities published in January, the Bavarian agricultural area is only given as just over 30,000 square kilometers. Since there have been major changes in the area measurement methods in the past decade, the numbers are not fully comparable, as the state office explains. But there is no doubt about the general development of large losses of agricultural land.
It is therefore obvious that the years of protests from both agriculture and environmental associations against land consumption as well as the state government’s constant statements about wanting to limit it have had no effect. The Bavarian Farmers’ Association (BBV) renewed its criticism at the weekend.
“Land consumption is a massive problem,” said BBV President Günther Felßner. He argued that agriculture must fulfill four functions: ensuring nutrition, renewable energy production, the production of biodegradable products and the protection of soil, water, biodiversity and climate. In order for this to succeed, land consumption must be stopped.