Federal Minister of Agriculture, Alois Rainer of the CSU party, announced several forms of relief for farmers. Speaking to the Funke media group’s Saturday editions, the CSU politician stated that the fuel discount is an important initial step, and his ministry is working quickly to determine further assistance.
Rainer specifically listed several proposed actions. These include offering subsidized loans managed through the Agricultural Pension Bank, as well as providing funding for the adoption of energy-efficient technology. He noted that the necessary coordination with the EU Commission was already taking place, expressing confidence that good solutions would be reached soon.
Addressing the potential for rising food prices, Rainer advocated for a reduction in value-added tax (VAT) on certain products. He stressed, however, that any relief measures needed to be targeted and financially sustainable.
Although he pointed out that food prices are currently stable despite the ongoing situation regarding Iran, he emphasized that the government is closely monitoring the market, given the significant price increases seen in recent years. When confronted with widespread public concern, the minister stated that he takes these worries very seriously. Nevertheless, he conveyed that the overall trend of food prices ultimately depends on how long the belligerent conflicts persist.