After the cost explosion is pared down, environmental plans as part of the EU’s “Green Deal” are angering farmers. There is a risk of income loss and domestic production of food and renewable raw materials is also at risk.
Although energy, fertilizer and feed costs exploded last year, our farmers have largely been able to adjust producer prices. Yet it remains a challenge to be a farmer, because extreme weather caused 47 million euros in damage in Upper Austria.
Leaving land fallow
Now the “EU Green Deal” threatens new adversity. Among other things, 30 percent of the fields must be placed under protection. “If I only implement a third of it myself, I will feel it in my income,” says Franz Waldenberger, president of the Upper Austrian Chamber of Agriculture and organic grower.
Less pest control
Pesticides must also be strongly reduced: “All measures that endanger the security of supply of food and renewable raw materials.”
Importing is dozens of times more harmful
That would also play into the hands of the planned Mercosur trade agreement with South America. The production of one kilo of beef causes 14.2 kilos of greenhouse gases in Austria, 22 kilos in the EU and no less than 80 kilos in Brazil. “But the last word has not yet been spoken about the ‘Green Deal’, resistance is growing. The discussion will come to a head this year,” says Waldenberger.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
