REHAMM under fire: Farmers fear Mercosur Agreement!

REHAMM under fire: Farmers fear Mercosur Agreement!

On December 7, 2024, a heated dispute over the Mercosur Agreement, the so-called "Peasant Demalization Act", unfolds. FPÖ general secretary NaBG. Michael Schledlitz raises serious accusations against the still Chancellor and ÖVP boss Karl Nehammer. In an interview, the latter announced that he did not want to agree to the political part of the agreement while at the same time wanting to agree to the commercial aspect. "This means an impending flooding of the market with cheapest South American products that our domestic farmers fall into unfair competition," says Schledlitz sharply. According to him, Nehammer is in direct contradiction to a decision by the National Council under the EU, which confirms a rejection of the agreement. "Nehammer reveals our farmers and endangers our food supply," continued Schledlitz, and emphasizes the support of the FPÖ for domestic agriculture.

political excitement around Agrardiesel

At the same time, it is also boiling in politics with regard to agrardiesel aid in Germany. According to Agrarheute, a resolution of the SPD-led countries Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saarland calls for a longer transition period for the reduction of the agrardiesel aid as the currently aimed at three years. The countries argue that this is necessary to support the transition to alternatives, climate -friendly fuels. In addition, an innovation and market incentive program to promote environmentally friendly drive technologies is required for agriculture. The application is expected to be discussed in the Federal Council meeting on February 2, 2025.

In both cases, domestic farmers are at the center of the discussions. While the FPÖ vehemently fights the effects of the Mercosur Agreement, there are also fundamental changes in agrardiesel aid in Germany to give agricultural companies a more sustainable future. The farmers are therefore facing massive challenges in both Austria and Germany that could not only affect their economic existence, but also the entire agricultural economy.