Backhaus: Rural areas must not be overlooked - EU farm subsidy cuts threaten €160M annual loss for German region
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus has raised alarms over proposed EU cuts to farm subsidies. The region could lose more than €160 million each year if the changes go ahead. Backhaus warned that over 1,000 local farms would face serious financial strain as a result.
The issue will be a key topic at the upcoming Agriculture Ministers' Conference (AMK), where fertilizer regulations and funding reforms are set for debate.
The proposed cuts come from new EU rules capping and reducing subsidies for larger farming operations. If implemented, these changes would shrink agricultural funding by hundreds of millions across Europe. For Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania alone, the annual loss would exceed €160 million.
Recent court decisions have added to the uncertainty, leaving farmers unclear on rules for nitrate-polluted zones and fertilizer use. Backhaus stressed that these legal grey areas must be resolved to avoid further disruption. At the AMK, he and Brandenburg's agriculture minister will push for fertilizer laws that are both legally solid and practical for farmers.
Backhaus also highlighted the broader role of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in supporting rural areas. He argued that deep cuts would threaten not just individual farms but entire communities dependent on agriculture. While EU reform plans from 2028 aim to give member states more flexibility, critics warn that the current proposals lack clarity on how national subsidies will be affected.
The outcome of the AMK discussions could shape future farming policies in Germany. If the cuts proceed, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's agricultural sector will face a shortfall of over €160 million per year. Farmers in the region—and across Europe—will be watching closely as ministers debate the next steps.
