Spree threatens to grow: farmers demand immediate dredging!

Spree threatens to grow: farmers demand immediate dredging!

In a dramatic meeting, representatives of the state environmental office and affected farmers took a close look at the worrying state of the (Müggel) Spree on Wednesday. While the authority is supposedly satisfied with the level, the farmers are alarm: the Spree threatens to grow, and this has fatal consequences for the adjacent areas that could be flooded. A clear call to the action is unmistakable!

Volker Schmöhl from Neu-Zittau cannot hide his anger. "During a reasonable water management, as we used to experience it, we would have had a great feed year!" He calls loudly while looking at the withered areas with concern. His herd of cattle has already suffered drastically - from 800 animals he was able to reduce the number to only 350. "What else is left to us?" He asks, he asks and urges a thorough drafting of the Spree to solve his problems.

farmers fight for their existence

Another concerned farmer, Karl-Heinz Kümpel from the choice of seats, sums up the immediate emergency: "With our 50 hectares we would have to be able to feed 40 cattle. But I only see rushes and fault!" Her reputation falls in the rugged landscape that was once fertile. The despair is tangible, while the responsible agricultural office sets up a financial hurdle: Around 1,000 tons of zinc contaminated sediments would have to be excavated, and disposal costs are a frightening challenge - 50 euros per ton. "The dragage was no longer to be financed" is determined from the author's perspective.

These unsustainable conditions have led to a deep crack between the farmers and the responsible authority. The future of the (Müggel) Spree is in the suspension and the voices of farmers are getting louder. Who will act before the situation increases another degree of drama?