Agriculture

The agricultural sector depends on intact environmental and climate conditions, but it is the cause of many types of pollution at the same time. Intensive livestock farming, high demand for farmland and the intensive use of arable land and grassland put a strain on surface and groundwater and air. Agriculture produces greenhouse gas emissions, jeopardises soil fertility and aggravates biodiversity loss. A transformation of an agricultural system that works at the expense of the environment to one that is ecologically sustainable poses an enormous challenge for farmers, policy-makers and society. The German Environment Agency provides you with information about the environmental consequences of agriculture and points out ways the sector can become sustainable.

Nitrogen surplus from agriculture has been excessive for 20 years

Ein Traktor bringt Gülle auf einem Feld aus

The agriculture sector has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to reducing its nitrogen inputs, say the latest nitrogen soil surface budgets of the German Environment Agency (UBA) which are based on data up to 2017. The average nitrogen surplus of the nitrogen soil surface budget is 77 kg per hectare (kg/ha) and has remained virtually constant for more than 20 years. read more

Quo vadis, agriculture?

A new publication by the Agriculture Commission at the Federal Environment Agency (KLU) proposes a fundamental reorientation of the agriculture system in five main areas: nutrient surpluses, food system, international agricultural trade, rural development, and digitalisation. read more

Ecological impact of farming

Germany’s farming sector uses the largest amount of land, but is at the same a lynchpin of our economy – one that provides a reliable food supply and produces sustainable raw materials. The farming sector also plays a key role when it comes to preservation and development of the man-made environment. But increasingly intensive farming brings with it a host of eco-unfriendly effects. read more

Organic farming

Organic products taste good, and make a positive contribution to human health and environmental protection. Organic farming is a highly resource-conserving and environmentally-friendly activity that is oriented towards the principle of sustainability. It also aims to keep animals in a manner conducive to their welfare. read more

Status of nutrient bookkeeping in the Baltic Sea countries

The Baltic Sea, a valuable and central part of our natural heritage, is under threat from nutrient inputs from agriculture. A study funded by the German Environment Agency has examined the current state of play in the introduction of nutrient accounting as a prerequisite to good agricultural practice. read more