Ministers Martine Hansen and Serge Wilmes at the first 'Landwirtschaftsdësch': Working together to find solutions to current problems and future challenges

In this context, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture, Martine Hansen, invited representatives of the agricultural sector to the first "Landwirtschaftsdësch", which took place on Monday 4 March at the Château de Senningen in the presence of the Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes.

Continuous dialogue to jointly solve current problems

The aim of these meetings, which will now take place twice a year, is to discuss the current problems that farmers, winegrowers and horticulturalists are facing and to find solutions together with the sector. For the new government, institutionalising dialogue and strengthening interdepartmental cooperation is key to ensuring that agriculture is economically viable, sustainable and environmentally friendly.

The agenda for the first edition of the "Landwirtschaftsdësch" included the following topics: 

• Building in the green zone;
• Water protection; 
• Ammonia emissions;
  
• Adjustments to the National Strategic Plan (NSP).

During the discussion, representatives of the agricultural sector insisted on the crucial importance of planning certainty, administrative simplification and the long-term future of farms.

For Martine Hansen and Serge Wilmes, one of the aims of this "Landwirtschaftsdësch" was not only to listen to producers' concerns, but also to work with the sector to find pragmatic solutions.

Pragmatic solutions for building in green zones

As announced in the coalition agreement, the government intends to facilitate constructions related to agricultural activities in green zones. To this end, a new definition of agricultural activities that can be permitted in green zones will be introduced and the relevant approval procedures will be simplified, while at the same time ensuring a high level of protection for nature and natural resources.

For this reason, Ministers Hansen and Wilmes have decided to immediately set up a working group with representatives from the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture and representatives from the agricultural sector to identify the current obstacles and draw up coherent guidelines to ensure transparent rules 

for buildings related to both agricultural and viticultural activities.

In addition, an interdepartmental pilot project will be set up with the aim of introducing the "once only" principle in the medium term. Persons concerned will have a single contact point where requests for documents will be coordinated and where they will be guided through the procedure.

On the basis of six concrete projects of different sizes, the authorities concerned will draw conclusions with a view to implementing a "one-stop shop" for all applications for the construction of agricultural infrastructure in green zones.

Water protection: cooperative approach with the industry

Discussions revealed that administrative procedures, particularly those relating to temporary permits, are proving to be lengthy and complex. Minister Wilmes therefore undertook to evaluate the effectiveness of these procedures and to review the 2013 legislation on administrative measures in all protection zones by autumn 2024. The main objective remains to guarantee the distribution of drinking water, an objective that is also supported by the agricultural sector. In addition to mandatory measures, it has been deemed necessary to strengthen agricultural cooperation and to develop voluntary measures.

Minister Wilmes announced that the nitrate regulations would be adapted, taking into account the report on the presence of nitrates in surface and ground water, as well as the conclusions drawn from the experiences of the winter of 2023/24, when, due to exceptional weather conditions, a large number of farmers had to apply for derogations from the usual application bans. In collaboration with the sector, a catalogue of proposals will be drawn up on the draft "nitrates" law, with the aim of presenting proposals that reflect the realities on the ground.

The agricultural sector will contribute to reducing ammonia emissions

Although further efforts are needed to achieve Luxembourg's ambitious ammonia reduction target, Martine Hansen was keen to stress that the sector has already made great efforts to reduce ammonia emissions in recent years. The Ministry of Agriculture will therefore set up a Task Force of national and international experts and professionals to evaluate and promote new technologies and to develop, in consultation with the sector, operational strategies (continuous training, awareness-raising, advice, monitoring) aimed at effectively reducing ammonia emissions on farms. All efforts must be measurable by means of a monitoring tool to be set up.

In addition, the bonus for reducing livestock numbers will now take into account the forage area of the farm abroad.

Amendments to the agrarian law to provide more prospects for the future  

In response to the issues related to the definition of "active farmer", the Minister of Agriculture has announced her intention to open up certain forms of support to a larger number of farmers, in particular wine growers, in order to offer them more prospects for the future, for example in the areas of agri-environmental measures, plant health and climate risk management (insurance) and advisory services.

From the 2024/25 cultivation year, financial support will be reintroduced to encourage voluntary phase-out of glyphosate. This measure will take the form of an additional aid granted as part of the bonus for the introduction of sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.

To reduce the administrative burden on producers, the minimum rate of on-site controls will be reduced from 5% to 1% to avoid double controls on farms.

Martine Hansen also announced that the next strategic plan would be drawn up in close collaboration with the sector.

Following the meeting, Minister of Agriculture Martine Hansen said: "The "Landwirtschaftsdësch" is not a crisis management tool. It is the institutionalisation of a permanent exchange with the sector in order to solve problems and prepare the agriculture of tomorrow".

Serge Wilmes, Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, has announced that his departments will work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to adapt certain legal provisions that are considered too restrictive by the agricultural sector. The cooperation targeted by the Ministry of the Environment mainly concerns construction in green zones, as well as measures to facilitate the implementation of European legislation aimed at reducing ammonia and nitrate levels.

The "Landwirtschaftsdësch" also highlighted the desire of all stakeholders to ensure that the main vocation of an agricultural sector is the production of healthy and sustainable food.

Now that the dialogue with representatives of Luxembourg's agriculture, horticulture and viticulture sectors has been institutionalised, the next meeting will take place in autumn.

Press release by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture and the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity