Germany’s specialty crop producers are calling for stable and predictable framework conditions to safeguard domestic production amid mounting challenges from regulation, rising costs, and tightening plant protection rules. These concerns were voiced during the first Parliamentary Evening for Specialty Crops, held in Berlin on 14 October under the motto “Querbeet – a refreshing evening with local fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, and potatoes.”

The event, co-hosted by the Federal Association of Producer Organisations for Fruit and Vegetables (BVEO), the Union of the German Potato Industry (UNIKA), and the German Potato Trade Association (DKHV), brought together Members of the Bundestag, government representatives, and industry stakeholders to discuss the sector’s priorities.

Parliamentary State Secretary Silvia Breher opened the evening by stressing the importance of supporting domestic production through dependable framework conditions. She said the Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Homeland (BMLEH) recognizes the value of Germany’s producers, who provide consumers with high-quality food, and reaffirmed the Ministry’s openness to ongoing dialogue with the industry.

Olaf Feuerborn, Chairman of UNIKA, underlined that the sector needs “a well-equipped toolbox” to remain competitive. He highlighted that plant protection products are “indispensable for risk management” and urged policymakers to ensure that approval procedures remain “lean, unbureaucratic, and responsive.” Feuerborn welcomed the inclusion of regulatory improvements in the coalition agreement and confirmed that the industry stands ready to contribute constructively to implementation.

Thomas Herkenrath, President of DKHV, warned that excessive regulation and administrative burdens are eroding competitiveness. “High production costs – driven by bureaucracy, overregulation, documentation duties, and certification requirements – are putting more and more pressure on businesses,” he said. Herkenrath called for rapid action to reduce red tape and harmonize certification systems across the EU.

Echoing these concerns, Johannes Bliestle, Chairman of BVEO, emphasized that reliable framework conditions are essential for long-term planning and investment. “Only then can domestic production serve as an insurance policy against crises, supply shortages, and political upheavals,” he stated. Bliestle also pointed to labor cost disparities within the EU that undermine fair competition: “When a company in Spain or Poland can produce at labor costs that are only a third to half of what we face here, it’s clear that we come under pressure in the competition.”

The Parliamentary Evening for Specialty Crops marked a coordinated effort by the fruit, vegetable, and potato sectors to present a unified position on urgent policy reforms. The associations reiterated their shared commitment to maintaining the high quality standards and sustainability of Germany’s specialty crop production while advocating for a more efficient and predictable regulatory environment.