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In the future, the construction of animal-friendly pig barns will once again be promoted through the joint task “Improvement of Agricultural Structures and Coastal Protection” (GAK). The reason for this is that the federal program for the conversion of agricultural animal husbandry (BUT) has not had the hoped-for stimulating effect. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (BMLEH) therefore wants to focus on truly effective investments in agriculture. The GAK is the right instrument for this. The federal program, which was already limited in time, will therefore expire earlier. This will also ensure a more efficient use of budget funds and meet the wishes of many federal states. The BMLEH will publish the changed deadlines relevant to farmers in the Federal Gazette on Friday, September 12, 2025, in order to ensure planning security.
The BMLEH will hold talks with the federal states to provide the best possible support for the transition of funding for barn conversions back to the GAK. Furthermore, all interested parties are called upon to check whether funding from the BUT, which enables up to 60% of the costs to be covered, is an option in the coming months.
The federal program to promote the conversion of agricultural livestock farming provides funding for investments in pig barns that are particularly animal- and environmentally-friendly and for the additional running costs of such farming. Funding is available for both investments and additional running costs. The BMLEH has decided to shorten the application deadlines and the overall duration of both funding guidelines. For farmers who want to benefit from BUT funding, this means that applications for investment funding can still be submitted until the end of April 2026. Consumptive funding will expire in 2028.
The federal program was launched in 2024. Currently, 271 applications have been submitted for investment subsidies, while the number of applications for consumptive subsidies this year amounts to 413.
September 11, 2025/ BMLEH/ Germany.
https://www.bmleh.de
