Asparagus cultivation: Politicians Prompts Foil ban

Springtime is asparagus time. But the popularity of the precious vegetable means that ever-larger parts disappear under black foil. A citizen’s initiative started a battle against this development. And German Green party is calling for a ban.

Brandenburg completely covered!
Werner Christ (67) points to the fields around Lünow, an idyllic village in Havelland: a sea of black tarpaulins – as far as you can see. Christian: "The plastic spoils the landscape from autumn until June, it deters tourists. Plants and animals cannot find a suitable habitat. 21 bird species have become extinct here in the last 10 years. This is supposed to be a bird sanctuary."

With 35 neighbours he founded the Citizens' Initiative "landscape without foil". They call for a limitation of the black foil sea. Christian: "Asparagus grows without foil."
Heinrich Thiermann (72) from Domstiftsgut Mötzow gets 20 million Euro for his asparagus very year, and has 100 permanent and 1,200 seasonal workers. Thiermann: "Without the film we make a loss. The harvest season would be 14 days shorter and the asparagus heads become violet. The customer pays two Euro more for white asparagus, although violet tastes better."

Brandenburg Greens call for a limitation too. Group chairman Axel Vogel (58): "No more than ten percent of the acreage should be covered in foil. And in protected areas, they have no business at all!"

The Department for Environment in Potsdam acknowledged "the negative impacts of large-scale cultivation of asparagus on wildlife." But it sees no need for action.

Source: www.bild.de