III · 01 Record — Major Initiatives

Seven initiatives, examined

A catalogue of documented initiatives from the ministry since May 2025. Each one is set out in the same six fields: context, problem, policy response, who is affected, expected impact and criticism. Expected impact is what the government intends. It is not a measured result.

Full agricultural diesel refund

Passed 6 Nov 2025 · in force 1 Jan 2026

Context

In 2024 the previous government decided to phase out the energy-tax refund on diesel used in farming, which led to large farmer protests.

Problem

Farms faced higher fuel costs than competitors in other EU states.

Policy response

Full refund of 21.48 cents per litre restored from 1 January 2026, at around €430 million a year.

Who is affected

Arable and livestock farms, contractors and forestry businesses using diesel machinery.

Expected impact (government)

Lower operating costs and restored confidence among farmers.

Criticism / alternatives

The Federal Environment Agency lists the concession among environmentally harmful subsidies, and critics question the climate signal.

Source: top agrar.

Liquidity aid after the 2026 drought

Announced 2 Sep 2026

Context

Drought and heat cut the 2026 grain harvest to about 37.4 million tonnes, 7.3 % below 2025.

Problem

Many farms face income losses and cash-flow problems before the next harvest.

Policy response

Around €1 billion in liquidity assistance announced with the harvest report.

Who is affected

Arable farms in the regions hit hardest by drought.

Expected impact (government)

Bridge financing to prevent forced sales or closures.

Criticism / alternatives

Recurring crisis aid raises the question of whether farms should build their own risk reserves or insurance instead of relying on ad-hoc help.

Source: BMLEH press release 070/2026.

Bureaucracy reduction

Since June 2025 · further package in preparation

Context

Farmers’ protests in 2024 focused on costs and also on documentation duties.

Problem

Overlapping reporting duties take time and deter investment.

Policy response

End of the nutrient-balance regulation (around €18 million a year in savings); a further rollback package is planned for 2026.

Who is affected

All farms subject to documentation duties.

Expected impact (government)

Less administrative time and cost.

Criticism / alternatives

Environmental groups fear weaker monitoring of nutrients and water protection.

Source: Federal Government.

Agricultural export strategy

Presented December 2025

Context

German agricultural exports depend on veterinary certificates and market access, often negotiated country by country.

Problem

Lost markets, for example after animal disease outbreaks, hit prices at home.

Policy response

Strategy “Modern agricultural exports Made in Germany”: export coordinator, export chief veterinary officer, trade-fair budget restored to €17 million.

Who is affected

Exporting processors, meat and dairy industry, breeding and machinery firms.

Expected impact (government)

More diverse markets and faster reopening after trade restrictions.

Criticism / alternatives

Groups in the “Wir haben es satt!” alliance argue that it favours intensive, export-oriented production.

Source: top agrar.

At the German-Chinese Agricultural Centre (DCZ), a bilateral cooperation project.

Alois Rainer in conversation with a Japanese government representative, small German and Japanese flags on the table — Bilateral talks with representatives of the Japanese government.

Animal Welfare Act amendment

Cabinet 29 Apr 2026 · first reading 9 Jul 2026

Context

Undercover recordings have repeatedly revealed breaches of animal-welfare law in slaughterhouses.

Problem

Official controls cannot be present at all times.

Policy response

Mandatory video surveillance in large slaughterhouses (about 232 plants), which handle more than 90 % of animals, from unloading to slaughter.

Who is affected

Large slaughterhouses, veterinary authorities, and indirectly farmers and consumers.

Expected impact (government)

Better evidence for controls and a deterrent against abuse.

Criticism / alternatives

Too far for some in the butchers’ trade (costs), not far enough for animal-welfare groups (all plants, independent evaluation).

Source: Bundestag.

Wolf in federal hunting law

Passed 5 Mar 2026

Context

Wolf numbers have grown in Germany and the EU lowered the species’ protection status.

Problem

Livestock farmers report losses on pasture.

Policy response

The wolf is included in the Federal Hunting Act, enabling regulated management.

Who is affected

Sheep, goat and cattle farmers on pasture, hunters, conservation authorities.

Expected impact (government)

Fewer attacks on livestock and more acceptance of pasture farming.

Criticism / alternatives

Conservation groups, the Greens and the Left argue that herd protection is more effective and that legal disputes will continue.

Source: Bundestag.

Heimat agenda

Presented 16 Jul 2026

Context

Responsibility for “Heimat” moved to the agriculture ministry in May 2025.

Problem

Rural regions feel left behind, and voluntary structures are under strain.

Policy response

“Miteinander ist es Heimat”: Heimat dialogues, a national Heimat report and a federal Heimat prize.

Who is affected

Municipalities, associations, volunteers, rural residents.

Expected impact (government)

Visibility and recognition for local initiatives, and better knowledge of rural needs.

Criticism / alternatives

Sceptics doubt that dialogue formats and prizes address material problems such as services and infrastructure.

Source: Schwäbische Zeitung / dpa.