Farmers Win Legal Battle Against 'Red Zones' in Düngeverordnung
Farmers in the Heidekreis region have gained a legal victory with parts of the controversial Düngeverordnung declared invalid. The Higher Administrative Court (OVG) in Lüneburg ruled against the 'red zones' with high nitrate pollution, affecting local farmers. The judgment, however, is not yet final, and the state can appeal, prolonging the process by up to a year and a half.
The OVG ruling does not impact current practices, and existing rules continue to apply. Farmers, represented by their professional associations, have long criticized the Düngeverordnung, viewing it as an excessive ban and regulatory burden. Last year's farmers' protests echoed this sentiment, demanding a sustainable reduction in bureaucracy and the retention of subsidized agricultural diesel.
The protests were not aimed at removing the traffic light government but sought a different, better agricultural policy. The largest rural interest group in the Heidekreis, Landvolk, shares these demands, pushing for more recognition for agriculture, planning security, reliable laws, and de-bureaucratization. A small agricultural professional association, with approximately 2,000 members, has also been vocal about these issues. They have presented ten core demands for the federal election to shape a future-oriented agriculture.
While the OVG ruling provides some relief for Heidekreis farmers, the legal process is far from over. Farmers continue to advocate for practical framework conditions that allow them to spend more time working in the fields and barns, rather than navigating bureaucracy. Their demands for recognition, planning security, reliable laws, and de-bureaucratization remain at the forefront of their campaign.
