00:00 In Germany, the farmers' protests, which have robbed the country over planned subsidy cuts,
00:06 have temporarily halted.
00:08 Farmers' Association President Joachim Rackwiedt is pushing for negotiations, with the federal
00:13 government emphasising the need for results by Thursday, January 18.
00:19 The protests, ongoing since the start of the new year and culminating in front of the Brandenburg
00:24 Tor in Berlin, with over 30,000 protesters and 5,000 tractors, exceeded expectations.
00:31 Joachim stated that it was time for talks, signalling the need to end protests, temporarily
00:37 approach MPs and engage in solution-oriented discussions.
00:41 The German government had to make budget cuts just before Christmas, leading to protests
00:46 over subsidy reductions for farmers.
00:48 While the government backpedalled on some measures, including the motor vehicle tax
00:53 exemption and agricultural fuel subsidy, farmers continued their protests.
01:00 Discussions between farmers' representatives and parliamentary group leaders resulted in
01:04 good proposals, but no agreement on the agricultural fuel subsidy.
01:09 Finance Minister Christian Lindner emphasised the challenges in reversing subsidy cuts and
01:14 Agriculture Minister Sam Ozdemir suggested a levy on meat products.
01:19 Raghvel highlighted the importance of dropping the tax increase on agricultural fuel, giving
01:25 the government an ultimatum for results by Thursday, January 18, coinciding with the
01:30 budget adjustment meeting.
01:38 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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