Privatizing Redefin's Ailing State Equine Farm: A Necessary Step for Fiscal Responsibility?
State-owned enterprise Redefin, consistently recording losses, slated for sale per the Taxpayers' Union's recommendation - Environmental Protection Proposal Requested from Commission
The State Equine Farm in Redefin, a district of Ludwigslust-Parchim, has become a hot topic for debate among fiscal watchdogs, like the Federation of German Taxpayers. According to the organization’s Mecklenburg-Vorpommern branch head, Sascha Mummenhoff, the farm has been a drain on the state's finances, costing millions in taxes every year, and the responsible minister needs to take charge.
Presently, no concrete plans for strategic repositioning of the State Equine Farm have yet surfaced. Key positions remain unfilled, with a consulting firm temporarily managing the farm in the interim. Till Backhaus, spokesperson for the responsible Agriculture Minister, attributed the delay to a legal dispute following the selection process for a permanent manager.
"Horses are a luxury item"
Mummenhoff insists that the State Equine Farm fails to deliver essential services and should no longer be under state control. He urges the state government to take action and initiate the necessary steps for privatization. Accumulated costs over the past five years have exceeded 16.5 million euros, with Mummenhoff questioning the need for state funding of an apparently anachronistic institution.
The farm's facilities have historical significance, dating back 200 years and protected under monument laws. The farm continues to serve as a hub for breeding, while simultaneously acting as a stage for numerous events, ranging from horse parades to classic concerts at the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival.
Equine Luxury and Taxpayer Strain
The operation of equine farms incurs substantial costs, including horse care, staff salaries, and infrastructure maintenance. While revenue from horse sales, breeding services, and tourism may contribute, these typically don’t offset operating expenses entirely, leading to fiscal strain.
The Privatization Agenda
Privatization efforts for the State Equine Farm would aim to alleviate the financial burden on the state by transferring ownership and management to private entities. This could potentially lead to greater efficiency, investment, and revenue diversification.
Меры для приватизации:
- Оценка: Оценить ценность и потенциал фермы, чтобы определить цену и потенциал для частного управления.
- Процесс аукциона: Пригласить частные компании подавать заявки на собственность или права управления.
- Переговоры: Разрешить условия продажи или соглашения об управлении.
- Реализация: Передать собственность и права управления новому субъекту.
Преимущества приватизации:
- Эффективность: Частные компании чаще всего сосредоточены на оптимизации расходов и эффективности.
- Инвестиции: Частные субъекты могут принести новые инвестиции для улучшения объектов и расширения услуг.
- Разногласье доходов: Приватизация может привести к исследованию новых источников доходов, таких как мероприятия или образовательные программы.
Проблемы приватизации:
- Сохранение культурных аспектов: Гарантирование сохранения культурных аспектов фермы под частным управлением.
- Регулирование: Установление подходитсостояния контроля, чтобы гарантировать гуманитарное отношение к животным и соблюдение правил.
- Влияние на общины: Осуществление воздействия на местные общины, которые имеют эмоциональное отношение к ферме.
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of Article 93 (2) of the Treaty regarding the privatization of Redefin's State Equine Farm, despite its financial drain on state resources, costing millions in taxes every year. In light of this, potentially privatizing the equine farm could offer benefits such as improved efficiency, increased investments, and diversification of revenues, which could alleviate the fiscal burden on the state. However, concerns arise regarding the preservation of the farm's cultural aspects, the need for proper regulation to ensure humane treatment of animals and adherence to rules, and the influence on local communities with an emotional attachment to the farm.
