BERLIN.

The Member of Parliament, Marlene Mortler, CSU (Christian Social Union Party) expressed her vote for one Federal Institution of Social Insurance in Agriculture. “The Federal Institution will definitely be established”, says the responsible reporter of the Union in the Committee for Nutrition to the Press and Information Service AGRA-EUROPE.  Mortler: “This concerns first of all How and not If.” Already the regional associations are of the same opinion. The CSU-politician, who belongs to the Representatives’ Assembly of the Social Insurance Carrier LSV Franken and Oberbayern, also expresses her desire to “create this process in a moderate way”. This means that step by step contributions have to be adapted. The government is regarded responsible to cope with finances for the structural changes. However, during the debates concerning 2012 funds, she will vote in favour of fixing the National Funds for the agricultural Social Insurance to the amount of 200 million Euros. This is “well stored money” to promote the necessary reform. Mortler’s opinion is that the legal preparations for the Federal Institution will already be done during this legislature period. Accordingly, at the latest by the end of this year a draft law must be presented. Anyhow, it will take 5 years for a complete establishment of one Federal Institution. Ms Mortler considers an involvement of the Federal States as reasonable and meets their concerns against centralization where possible. It must be assured that the “Agricultural Social Insurance will be present nationwide and not with the majority of the staff concentrated in Kassel”.

AGRA-EUROPE 9/11, 28. February 2011