Farmers and tractors amass in thousands in Berlin to protest Germany's ‘war’ on industry
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German farmers have accused Olaf Scholz of declaring “war” on their industry as they amassed in Berlin to protest against cuts to fuel subsidies and tax breaks.
Some 10,000 agricultural workers descended on the capital’s Brandenburg Gate on Monday with 3,000 tractors, bringing traffic to a standstill as they demanded an about-turn on plans by the German chancellor’s coalition administration.
Berlin says that ending farmers’ diesel subsidies and vehicle tax exemption are a necessary part of austerity measures aimed at resolving the country’s budget crisis in 2024.
But the German government is now facing a potentially major revolt from agricultural workers about the changes.
Some farmers carried placards to Monday’s demonstrations that claimed Mr Scholz had declared “war” on their industry.
“Too much is too much, it’s over now!” fumed another placard.
There is nothing I like more than a beautiful John Deere tractor, but a John Deere tractor in a protest, now that is a sight to behold. Berlin is rising: 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/gu8Ngzm9U9
— Colette Murphy (@Iammurphycolet) December 18, 2023
The German government has vowed to cut the subsidies and benefits to help fill a €17 billion (£14.6 billion) funding gap for 2024, the result of a shock ruling from the constitutional court in November that banned ministers from using pandemic-era funds in future budgets.
The total savings from ending the farmers’ benefits are estimated at €900 million (£774.6 million) per year.
Joachim Rukwied, the president of German farmers’ association DBV, has hinted that major, unprecedented protests will continue until the cost-saving measures are scrapped, in a significant challenge to Mr Scholz.
“We will be present everywhere in a way that the country has never experienced before. We won’t accept this,” Mr Rukwied said.
Diesel subsidies are a particularly sensitive issue because farming lobbies say that they help Germany’s agriculture industry to compete with other EU countries where the fuel is much cheaper.
Hubert Heigl, the president of the German organic farming association Naturland, said that he believed even organic farmers may have taken part in the protests despite their dislike of the use of diesel.
“[Organic farmers have] two hearts beating in their chests,” Mr Heigl said.
“As an organic farmer, it is difficult to demonstrate for a diesel tax break. But if the benefit simply disappears now, it will hit us hard and will slow down the ecological restructuring of agriculture.”
First time I have experienced a tractor demo. I've witnessed many in Argentina, but not of this number of tractors. The line was not ending. People were also very supportive, even if they had to wait to cross the street. #Berlin pic.twitter.com/mNewcCA8R4
— Flor Yannelli *typo queen* 👽🌱 (she/her/ella) (@floryannelli) December 19, 2023
The farming lobby has claimed that food prices will need to rise if the tax subsidies are imposed, compounding an ongoing cost of living crisis in Germany.
However, Greenpeace has argued that there are plenty of alternatives to diesel that German farmers can rely on instead.
“The technology for this is available and the first electric tractors are already in use,” a Greenpeace spokesman said.