The farmers' associations in Lower Saxony and Westphalia-Lippe are calling for a state exit bonus in view of the difficult economic situation of the pig farmers. Anyone who gives up breeding or fattening should receive compensation. This should be included in the national livestock strategy, demanded Landvolk Niedersachsen and the Westphalian-Lippian Agricultural Association (WLV) on Tuesday.
Hanover / Münster - 15 million of the 25 million pigs in Germany are kept in Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia.
In Lower Saxony alone, the number of pig farms has fallen from 5,700 to 5,000 since May 2018. The associations complain that in addition to the difficult market situation due to Corona and African swine fever, high official requirements are making the farms' situation more difficult.
"In order not to let a process desired by society and politics turn into a structural break, financial support in the form of a restructuring bonus or compensation for leaving animal husbandry is required," said Presidents Holger Hennies (Landvolk) and Hubertus Beringmeier (WLV).
dpa