Germany proposes budget cuts for organic farming and animal welfare

The German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture has proposed a 2027 budget draft that includes significant funding cuts for organic farming, biodiversity, and animal welfare. Specifically, the budget for the federal program to restructure livestock farming is set to decrease by 42 percent to 148 million euros. Additionally, reimbursements for organic farmers and those creating wildflower strips are expected to drop by 8 percent compared to 2026.

In contrast, funding for the social insurance of farmers—covering health, pension, and accident insurance—is slated to increase by 3 percent to 4.3 billion euros. This sector now accounts for more than 60 percent of the total agricultural budget, which is projected at 6.97 billion euros.

The government defended the draft, citing a national crisis in agriculture caused by drought, high costs for fertilizer and diesel, and price pressures in the meat market. However, the Bund Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft (BÖLW) has criticized the plan, urging lawmakers to adhere to coalition agreements and warning against sacrificing innovation and jobs in the organic sector for the sake of budget consolidation.