At the end of 2023, when thousands of farmers took to the streets in Germany to protest against cuts to agricultural subsidies, increasing bureaucratisation and pressure from free trade agreements, the focus shifted to an issue that had long been in the background: food and agriculture.
For progressive left-wing movements, this was a moment for reconsideration: should they get involved in this discussion? But the positions of those involved were too different and the topic, which many had previously only known from the supermarket, seemed too complex.
In the background, however, it became clear that increasing deregulation and market exploitation, coupled with a policy based on the Green New Deal and at the same time propaganda from the right against sustainable agricultural changes, puts us in a dilemma. Issues such as food and agriculture seem almost irrelevant in the face of global crises, the rise of the right and the expansion of power by oligarchs such as Trump and Musk. But it is precisely in this situation that the question of a fair and sustainable food system is more urgent than ever.
The Disrupt. initiative is an alliance of anti-capitalist groups who are convinced that there can only be a good life for all beyond the logic of profit and exploitation. Instead of fighting the shift to the right in isolation and later focussing on other issues, Disrupt. sees food as a central element of capitalist crisis management.
The agricultural industry and EU agricultural policy are at the centre of the criticism. They not only promote the exploitation of people and resources, but also exacerbate social and ecological crises. We need a food revolution that puts people first, not profit. At Disrupt. we agree that the current agricultural policy and existing conservative and right-wing structures are a dead end. They support a system of overcrowded animal factories, depleted soils, poisoned water and poor wages. At the expense of the environment, justice and the future.
Bike tour with many questions
But what could a “food revolution” and a sustainable and fair food system look like in concrete terms?
From 7 to 23 May, 2025 we will cycle 1,000 km across Germany. We want to learn, network and find answers. We will visit places of destruction of today and sustainable projects of tomorrow. The tour ends at the “Wesercamp’ in Brake near Bremen, where people are fighting against the expansion of a huge feed import harbour that imports mainly soya from Brazil – another example of the destructive logic of industrial agriculture.
Taking part
On 9 May, the bike tour will be in Berlin. With a project visit to Weltacker e.V., a rally in front of the BMEL and a panel discussion on “Farming Today & Utopias of Tomorrow.”
Information on the route & programme here:
What’s next
The bike tour is just the beginning: ahead of the climate conference in Brazil, we are organising days of action near Bremen from 7 to 13 October as part of an alliance of groups worldwide! We are protesting against global supply chains that exploit people and nature here and worldwide and invite you to join us as we resolutely oppose the agricultural system.
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