In an interview with RTL Radio on Wednesday morning, Christian Wester the president of the Farmers’ Association, said that farmers are “surprised” about the early signs of vegetation suffering from drought, despite significant rainfall in April.
While the situation is not as severe as in 2022, Wester stressed the need to monitor the weather in the coming days and weeks to assess its impact.
How well prepared are farmers for climate change? While many farmers have yield loss insurance to mitigate extreme conditions, it is calculated based on a five-year average of rainfall. However, if precipitation continues to decrease, strategies will need to be adapted accordingly, Wester noted.
At the European level, farmers would like to see more clarity regarding breeding methods to make progress in developing species that can better withstand extreme conditions.
To facilitate this, policymakers in Brussels must ensure that genetic engineering techniques are not overly regulated but instead recognised as a standard breeding practice, according to Wester.
He argued that this would expedite progress but also acknowledged the need for further research projects in this field.
Inflation continues to pose challenges for farmers. While last year it affected production costs, the impact has shifted to consumer purchasing power. As the cost of food production tends to be higher in Luxembourg, farmers face shrinking profit margins.
Wester stated that while seeking political solutions is necessary, a change in consumer mindset is also crucial. Encouraging the purchase of local and regional products would strengthen the agricultural sector.
According to Wester, climate change also contributes to damage caused by game. The milder winters resulting from climate change have reduced the natural population control of game animals. Wester argued that human intervention, especially in the form of battues, becomes necessary in the absence of natural predators like wolves.
