Agricultural Policy for Farmers

Transcription

1 Agricultural Policy for Farmers Niedersachsen The regional working group of the Demeter association in Nordrhein-Westfalen represented by farm managers (from Left to Right): Alfons Wiesler Trapp, Domäne Fredeburg GbR; Reiner van Kamen, Bauckhof Stütensen; Heiner Schrobsdorff, Wild-Ess-Kraut; Andreas Degener, Klostergut Heiningen; Kees Vellenga, Hof Michael; Jürgen Bünte, Hof Bünte; sees agricultural policy for the future as follows:

2 Agriculture in tune with the natural environment Peak Oil has already been reached. Petroleum-based, conventional farming - with its industrial excesses of factory farming, monocultures and the like - has limitations and has contaminated our livelihoods. Organic farming aligns itself with the processes of sustainable agriculture diverse crop rotations with a positive humus balance an adequate sized net with landscape elements on agricultural aereas, such as hedgerows and ponds for a variety of flora and fauna animal husbandry that does not compete with human food production, but rather serves (in its original sense) to transform unusable plants and by-products into valuable food. In addition, animals provide valuable fertiliser that can be integrated into the cycles of the farm, and used at the optimum time for the fertilisation of (severely debilitated) plants. Thus, in both cases, a disposal problem is recycled for the benefit of both animals and humans. Through cycles such as these, value remains in the region. farm owned processing of final products for added value (also for example biproducts from slaughter) observance of soil protection (reduction of axle load: <5 tons) Development of locally adapted varieties and breeds, saved and reared on the farm. In this way we can find a way to renew the concept of efficiency in Europe, which is what counts for sustainability. It turns into a GM free region. Diversification and revitalisation of rural development Rural restructuring has up till now only served to paraphrase changes in favour of agribusiness with the result of diminishing supply structures for the rural population. The revitalisation of processing and marketing structures, the reduction in size of operational units and the conscious integration of social deprived people into work and living space (cultural space) in villages, will positively result in discouraging people from fleeing to the city. Villages will once again become places to live in, rather than just to sleep. How can we find an honest way of communicating with one another? Agricultural policy of the future is a service marked by transparency. It takes people seriously as citizens and compensates for biases. Manipulation and abuse of power retreats into the background. Thus, proper human development is made possible, with love and communication prevailing and people seeking honest dealings with one another. The continuing conflict between organic and conventional agriculture can be resolved by eliminating fears.

3 Conscious, natural and contemporary taxation EU agricultural policy has recognised that a harmonious life for man and nature is only possible on the basis of 100% organic. For this reason, the production and consumption of high quality, organic food will be supported through specific frameworks and conditions. Moreover, the use of tax money will be exclusively linked to ecological, social and cultural services, that is to say activities that serve the public interest. It is in this respect that new control standards will be developed. In all EU countries, and worldwide in the future, the use of synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides will be taxed. This will lead to a more conscious use of natural resources, thus avoiding over-production. In addition, the tax leads to an increase in the price of conventional food and thus also a reduction of the gap between conventional and organic food. The revenues from taxation will in turn be used for the compensation of soil and groundwater damage caused by the application of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. The social sector - public institutions, educational institutions (schools, etc), as well as institutions of social and health services (eg, hospitals, nursing homes) will be eligible for tax relief on the condition that only organic produce is used in their kitchens. All farms will have the pronounced right to save and replicate seeds. Thus the age old tradition will be taken up once again allowing seeds to be recognised as a cultural asset that belongs to everyone. Patents on life will be prohibited. Ecological research XXXL Ecological research in agriculture will receive priority over conventional research. It is in such a way moneyed, that this huge gap will be closed over the next few years in order for the growing ecological challenges to be met. The following issues will also need to be addressed: crop rotation Humus production, carbon balance and the content of organic matter in soil nutrition Research on biodynamic themes Protein crops studies about the decrease of farmland birds (skylark, lapwing, grey partridge, etc.). Is there a connection with the farming system? seed research: breeding locally adapted seed for organic farming and nutritionally valuable species and varieties. Ecological research will be promoted in such a way that the driving of third-party funds will be eliminated, thus rendering the influence of donors (industry in particular) impossible. The result will be free and independent research and a paradigm shift from solutionoriented research to problem-oriented research will be able to take place.

4 Research assignment: is the attachment of hunting rights to private property still relevant to our times? The over stocking of game is becoming catastrophic, particularly in forests. People have to intervene to regulate, due to the absence of natural predators. Foresters, farmers and nature workers should be allowed to work freely on new regional models, uninhibited by trophy seeking models. Real prices instead of agricultural subsidies A big problem in the production of agricultural products began to develop in the 1950 s with the subsidising of prices. This provided the basis of surplus and mass production in order to attain the cheapest consumer prices and gave rise to the mentality that food is cheap and not worth much. A further effect was the distortion of competition in the world market between western countries and those without agricultural subsidies. Poverty and rural exodus continue as a direct result! Agricultural subsidies are the steering instruments of agricultural policy, impacting upon our economies and controlling and limiting freedom of action. Through the elimination of agricultural subsidies, less tax will need to be collected and a price structure will be set, that reflects the real cost of food production. The often emotional reactions prevalent in society when confronted with the topic of 'subsidies' are then exchanged with the positive experience of customers buying directly, giving a fair price for the produce. The displeasure created by the feeling of paying too high a price is invalidated by a reduction in the tax burden of the individual. All of the above points lead towards the realisation that future agricultural policy abolishes agricultural subsidies, in particular the first pillar. The elimination of the associated red tape will also reduce excessive administrative work for the farmer. The money that will be freed up, in addition to the reduction in the tax burden of the individual, will help to fund rural development and will give precedence to ecological and social farm structures. Furthermore, ecological research and vitally important environmental education will also be financed. Recognition of the effort of the biodynamic approach The association s guidelines will be simplified to facilitate willing conversion, especially to biodynamic land management. This also means that what follows will be the recognition of open, reciprocal exchange, as opposed to control. This is especially true for the issue preparations. There is also the potential for adapting multiple crop rotations to the regional realities of climate, topography and soil quality. In addition, an exemption for risk organ material (eg, cow skulls, intestines etc) must be introduced for organic farms along with EU wide availability.

5 Educational offensive for a post-growth society The educational offensive for a post-growth society launched by the European Commission in close ranks with all Member States began in 2014 and reaches today, in 2020 its full potential. People are realising and experiencing today that the desirable goal is not always MORE, but rather ENOUGH. After it has overcome the financial and economic crisis, Europe has acquired global competence and claim to leadership that is urgently needed in many parts of the world. Key points of this new EU economic and social order are: Conscious-raising events in ecology, environment and food from kindergarten through to university courses and training in old age research and education independent of industry, with problem-oriented research, replacing the previously common solution-oriented research. Introduction of practical science and networks in all departments equality between academic and vocational education: the costs are taken over by the state, equally in both areas. The state withdraws almost completely from regulation ensuring in its place the deregulation and direct responsibility of regions optimum rural and community development. Awareness of environmental and sustainable development is therefore ubiquitous. In conclusion it can be said that in Europe today everyone can have the feeling of being truly needed! The people have courageously made a step in the right direction and by changing their way of life, also have changed the whole continent, leading towards greater quality of life, affirmation of life and the joy to live!