Explanation
Farmers want to get out of the victim role
Groceries, including sunflower oil and grain products, lie on the checkout belt. The effects of the Ukraine war on agricultural markets and food prices were central themes at the German Farmers’ Day. Photo: Hendrik Schmidt/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
The transformation process in agriculture must continue. That’s what farmers’ president Joachim Rukwiek said at the end of the German Farmers’ Day.
At the end of the German Farmers’ Day, the farmers campaigned for a new self-image and a new role model. To this end, the delegates in Lübeck on Wednesday adopted the “Builders of the Future” declaration with a large majority.
The statement said they wanted to return to mainstream society and get out of the role of victim. Farmer President Joachim Rukwiek had previously made a clear commitment to the transformation process in agriculture. The war in Ukraine and the associated increase in food prices should not lead to losing sight of goals such as climate protection and digitization, he said.
In a written welcome address, Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) emphasized that the state government is committed to strengthening farms of all sizes at national and European level. Günter had canceled his originally planned participation in the German Farmers’ Day because of the ongoing coalition negotiations.