SPD on agriculture

The SPD wants to put the agreement between farmers, conservation groups and politics for more species protection, known as the Niedersächsischer Weg (Lower Saxony Way), into practice across the state and fund it for the long term. The dialogue format is to be extended to more topics.

In Lower Saxony, farmers, conservation groups and politics made a deal for more species protection. It is called the Niedersächsischer Weg. The SPD wants to keep it going and pay for it long term. New topics should be added.

As new topics, the program names the restructuring of livestock farming, a fairer food chain, the energy transition, and bog and climate protection. Farmers keep receiving compensation when they can only use their land in a restricted way. Advice for farms is to grow considerably, for instance on agroforestry, agri-photovoltaics, direct marketing, farm succession and giving up a farm. Protected areas, national parks, biosphere reserves and nature parks are to be funded permanently and given enough money and staff.

The SPD wants more fairness and transparency in the food chain so that producers and workers earn an adequate income. In the program's view, food retailers have had too much control over prices so far.

The SPD thinks supermarkets have too much power over prices. Farmers should get more money for their products. Shoppers should see where food comes from. Harvest workers and slaughterhouse workers should be treated fairly.

A joint code of conduct is planned among retailers, producers, processors, conservation groups and consumer protection bodies. The EU directive against unfair trading practices is to be enforced consistently. The SPD supports mandatory labeling of how animals are kept and an easy-to-understand proof of origin that also covers processed products. Rules on workplace safety and housing protection are to be checked strictly to prevent the exploitation of harvest workers and slaughterhouse staff.

The SPD wants to raise the share of organic farming to 15 percent by 2030 and promote regional direct marketing. This is meant to create local economic value and strengthen rural areas.

There should be more organic farms. By 2030 they should make up 15 percent of farming. Farmers should find it easier to sell their goods directly in the region. There should be a bonus for cattle kept on pasture.

As an interim goal, the program names ten percent organic farming by 2025. Regional production, processing and marketing of organic food are to be funded. For direct marketing and decentralized processing plants, the program plans better advice, more targeted funding programs and a revised fee schedule for inspections. The grazing animal bonus, which so far exists for sheep and goats, is to be extended to further areas of cattle farming.

The SPD wants to advance digital technology in agriculture because it saves resources and benefits the environment and climate. At the same time it wants to prevent a few providers from controlling the data and small farms from being overwhelmed.

The SPD wants to support digital technology on farms. This saves water and fertilizer. Farmers should be allowed to use their own data. Small farms should get advice.

Agricultural technology startups are to receive targeted support. Machines should, where possible, not be tied to specific software. Farmers are to have control over the data they generate. Central advice points, known as one-stop shops, are to teach basic digital skills and provide information on funding.