Overview
- Organizers say about 1,600 exhibitors from roughly 50 countries are showcasing products to an expected 325,000 visitors, with live cattle, horses and sheep back in the animal hall after last year’s disease-related absence.
- Parallel to the opening, the annual “Wir haben es satt” march drew a disputed crowd, with police estimating roughly 2,500–2,800 participants and organizers reporting about 8,000.
- Demonstrators called for fair producer prices, stronger animal-welfare standards and clear GMO labeling, and they criticized the proposed EU–Mercosur trade deal for intensifying price pressure and environmental harm.
- The Bundestag this week moved the start of mandatory animal-welfare meat labeling to January 1, 2027, a delay criticized by campaigners and questioned by Bavaria’s farm minister, who called for financing and long-term stall investment rules first.
- Agriculture ministers from eastern German states plan talks on Sunday at the fair to align positions on potential EU farm funding cuts and on revised fertilizer rules following a court-ordered tightening of nitrate-area designations.