The German Farmers’ Association (DBV) has said that, without government support, many of its members face an existential threat due to the continuing heatwave and lack of rainfall.
Germany is bracing itself for another week of ferociously hot weather, with temperatures continuing to exceed 30 degrees across the country in the next few days.
The temperatures are set to be highest in the southern and eastern regions of the country, the German Weather Service (DWD) reported, with highs of up to 39 degrees in certain areas.
The extreme conditions and resulting drought has had a severe effect on the agricultural sector, with many farmers warning of crippling harvest losses.
“Ideally, we would want around one billion Euros (in subsidies) in order to make up for the losses,” DBV president Joachim Rukwied told the Funke Media Group on Monday.
Others warned that the strain on farmers could see food prices soar, with the Federal Association of Dairy Farmers claiming that milk prices could rise by up to 41 cents a litre.
Federal and state government representatives are set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the effects of the heatwave, while agriculture minister Julia Klöckner (CDU) will on Wednesday present the issue to cabinet.
“We are very concerned about the effects of the drought under which many farmers, particularly in the north and east of Germany, are suffering,” said Klöckner.
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