EU Dementia: Mandatory Grinding Destroys Insect Habitat

EU Dementia: Mandatory Grinding Destroys Insect Habitat

Klaus Strotmann, AGRARHEUTE*

Fallow land and flowering plants provide habitat for insects. But they should not be maintained without another.

Farmers in Lower Bavaria received a letter because they had not made their ” minimum work » on fallow land.

In the district of Straubing-Bogen in Lower Bavaria, farmers received a letter from the agricultural administration in the autumn. In this letter, they were informed that they had not worked their fallow land in accordance with the regulations.

What was previously randomly controlled was first automated in 2022 using satellite photos. Problem areas are colored orange.

Fallow land: minimum crushing activity not respected

Farmer Josef Kainz from Kirchmatting was told in the letter that ” minimal activity required by the EU had not been respected. He should have crushed the flowery surface he had laid out in 2021 and which was buzzing with insects and butterflies.

« The principle is therefore the following: one cannot receive money for doing nothing “, explains Mr. Kainz in the report of Our country broadcast by Bavarian radio. The fact that he had to grind his surface in November is perceived by the Lower Bavarian as ” a stupidity and a rather big constraint ».

Partridge: the fallow should still have been crushed

Farmer Monika Klostermeier received an email similar to that of her colleague. Already in August, she had started to grind a fallow area. From the tractor, she noticed a partridge with many small chicks. ” I then immediately interrupted my work and decided not to work on this surface anymore so that the birds could have peace explains Ms. Klostermeier.

In November, she, too, received a message that she needed to finish grinding the surface. She appealed to the manager and was referred to the lower nature protection authority and landscape maintenance association. She successfully filed a waiver application.

The solution: divide the fallows and file as many derogation requests as possible

If they are granted because a particularly valuable habitat has been created, a surface can remain in place – but only for one year. The following year, everything has to be ground again.

For farmer Josef Kainz, a derogation is not a solution, ” because it only delays the unnecessary process of grinding for a year ».

Regional wildlife habitat adviser Hans Laumer recommends that farmers divide the affected areas, shred one half in the first year and leave the other in place by special permission – and vice versa the following year, including by submitting a new application . This is how it is possible to respect minimal activity ».

Farmer Kainz: ” I would like to be trusted as farmers to know what is reasonable and environmentally friendly. »

With Bavarian radio material (Bavarian Radio)

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