Mr. Thomas Dechant:

I wish to add to this. With regard to the structure of farm holdings within the Federal Republic of Germany, there are quite significant differences. For historical reasons, the structure of farm holdings in the former East German federal states is very different from that in Bavaria, where we tend to have very small family-farm holdings. So there is a political debate over how we can address the reality of a significant structural difference in the agricultural sector. Bavaria in particular pursues a policy of front-loading and of supporting in particular small holdings of between 20 ha and 30 ha.

There are a number of other policy measures in place to support small farm holdings and family businesses. In particular, we support people making additional income outside the farm on which they work. We support initiatives to make a contribution to local tourism, farm tourism and different aspects of the cultural landscape and fabric of society which are being supported. We also support initiatives for producers to market their own products. There is a range of policy strategies in place to support family businesses and small farms.

I was asked about renewable energy. Within the agricultural sector there is scope for renewable energy to be used very successfully, not least because of the roof areas on big farmhouses, which are being used for photovoltaic solar systems, which feed into the grid. Larger farms are also introducing biogas systems. This is creating extra income for small farms and it works at that level.