The German government said it will ease off on environmental rules to help farmers cope with rising feed prices caused by this summer’s drought.
The Reuters news agency reports German agriculture minister Julia Kloeckner also said the government is considering an aid package but wants to wait to hear crop production numbers before deciding.
Kloeckner said cabinet has agreed to let farmers harvest hay from some conservation areas, which were set up as a condition for receiving European Union subsidies and were designed to create a more environmentally friendly farming sector.
Kloeckner also said she would await official harvest figures before responding to calls for one billion euros in crisis aid requested by some German farmers.
Feed wheat for September delivery in north Germany was quoted on Aug. 15 at 224 euros a tonne, about 12 euros more than bread wheat, said Reuters.
