No on-site appointment in Werdenfelser Land: Özdemir dismisses Streibl

Created: 01/29/2022, 10:00 am

By: Andreas Seiler

Has no time: Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens).

© dpa

The dispute over the tethering of cattle reached the next level of escalation: the new Green Minister of Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, rejected the free voter member of the state parliament, Florian Streibl.

This had invited to the dialogue in Werdenfelser Land - and is now indignant.

District/Berlin – More “green” agriculture, more animal welfare: This is what the new traffic light government is committed to.

But the agricultural policy goals are explosive, especially here in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen with its smallholder structure.

The sticking point: According to the will of the coalition partners, the tethering should be over in ten years at the latest - in the eyes of the critics an absurdity.

Combined husbandry has a long tradition

Because in many farms it has always been customary to chain the cows in the cold season.

The so-called combined husbandry looks back on a centuries-old tradition in the foothills of the Alps: the animals spend the summer on the pastures or alpine pastures, the winter in the stables.

It is said that many smallholders cannot afford playpens at all.

There is a risk of a large farm death if the aforementioned form of husbandry were to be prohibited without any ifs and buts.

Florian Streibl, leader of the parliamentary group of the Free Voters in the Bavarian state parliament, also takes this line.

The people's representative from Oberammergau calls for a "protective umbrella for our farmers" - and recently invited the Minister of Agriculture of the red-green-yellow federal government, Cem Özdemir from the Greens, to an exchange on site (we reported).

But Özdemir, a convinced vegetarian, gives the son of the former Bavarian prime minister the cold shoulder.

A rebuff came from Berlin – with a brief justification: the minister could not come due to numerous appointment obligations.

Streibl is outraged: "Özdemir doesn't dare to go to Werdenfelser Land," he rumbles in a press release.

Streibl thinks it is perhaps understandable that the leading representative of the eco-party has no time for a face-to-face meeting.

But: "The fact that he has his office manager reply by email in a meaningless way and does not even take on the content of the actual matter is extremely annoying."

Farmers as preservers of the cultural landscape

The deputy from the Maximilianeum does not want to give in, expects Özdemir to continue to deal with the content of the sensitive topic, which is making waves. The Green Minister slams the local farmers "the red card for a form of husbandry that is only used in exceptional cases, but is essential," says Streibl - and is fundamental. The farmers are "the true preservers and protectors of our ecosystem and our cultural landscape here in the Alps". Streibl can't resist a dig: "I'm afraid that a modified slogan from his homeland in Baden-Württemberg applies to our Federal Minister of Agriculture: We can do anything but take citizens' concerns seriously."

At the Bavarian Farmers' Association (BBV), which is also trying to get an appointment with Özdemir, Streibl's failed attempt was registered with regret: "I find that absolutely sad," comments district chairman Klaus Solleder. The question must be clarified as to whether the new course in agricultural policy actually also affects the combi farming that is widespread in this country. In any case, an end, he warns, would not only lead to operational closures, but also to a decline in biodiversity. Grassland management makes an important contribution to healthy flora and fauna.

The District Greens are in a difficult position.

They also want to try to organize a visit to Özdemir.

"You have to see things like that.

You can't judge that from your desk," emphasizes district councilor Tessy Lödermann, who is also district head of the animal protection association.

The Garmisch-Partenkirchner is on the side of agriculture, defends the historically grown combination husbandry and advocates an exception.

Because otherwise, she argues, biodiversity is in danger.

However, precise rules would have to be laid down in terms of animal welfare.