How can scientific findings provide sound support for political decisions on sustainable agriculture and food systems? The ‘Leibniz im Bundestag’ initiative offers an excellent platform for direct exchange between the worlds of politics and science. Once again this year, researchers from ATB took advantage of this opportunity to engage in constructive and confidential discussions with Members of the German Bundestag on a range of topics.
The ‘Leibniz im Bundestag’ initiative is organised by the Leibniz Association and brings together numerous researchers from all Leibniz Institutes with Members of the German Bundestag every year. It strengthens the network between academia and politics and facilitates the direct transfer of research findings into the parliamentary process.
This year, there were 170 discussions with scientists from 63 of the 96 Leibniz Institutes. Four scientists from ATB held several in-depth discussions with MPs from various parliamentary groups. The focus was on key issues relating to the agricultural and food transition:
Dr Tina Kabelitz spoke with Member of the Bundestag (MdB) Anna Aeikens (CDU/CSU), an agricultural economist and the youngest member of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, about topics relating to the future of livestock farming, with a focus on improved animal welfare and enhanced biosecurity, and discussed why modern approaches propose a combination of both these areas.
Dr Manuela Zude-Sasse spoke with MdB Bernd Schuhmann (AfD) about the challenges facing horticulture. The discussion centred on the following questions: How can intelligent water use secure the future of horticulture when climate change, heat stress and late frosts become the new normal? How can we design horticultural systems that are resource-efficient and resilient?
Prof. Dr Thomas Amon discussed with MdB Christoph Frauenpreiß (CDU/CSU) the question of what political framework conditions are needed to ensure that AI in livestock farming can equally strengthen innovation, animal welfare, sustainability and fair competition.
Our Scientific Director, Prof. Dr Barbara Sturm, is leading two key discussions as part of the ‘Leibniz im Bundestag’ series: she exchanged views with MdB Anna Aeikens (CDU/CSU) on the resilience of our food supply in times of climate change, water scarcity and labour shortages. A discussion on this topic is also planned for July with MdB Christoph Frauenpreiß (CDU/CSU).
We are delighted with the positive response to our discussion initiatives. Direct dialogue between the scientific community and policymakers is essential for developing legislation and strategies that are both effective and practical. Face-to-face dialogue, in which our researchers can provide not only fundamental knowledge but also concrete proposals for technological solutions, enables us to look beyond the headlines of day-to-day politics, discuss complex interrelationships and assess the consequences of decisions. Thank you very much for the fascinating and constructive discussions. We look forward to the next edition of ‘Leibniz in the Bundestag’.
Contact
Dr Ulrike Glaubitz
Public Relations Officer
Tel.: +49 331 5699 820
Email: presse@atb-potsdam.de