GThe planned giant greenhouse near Gernsheim in the south of the district of Groß-Gerau has now also been met with political resistance following heavy criticism from environmental groups. The coalition of SPD, Greens and Left will bring a resolution at the next district council meeting with the aim of rejecting the project, which would cover an area of more than nine hectares. As reported, farmer Jirko Stiller wants to grow 16 million cucumbers a year from 2024, as well as peppers and tomatoes in the greenhouse, which would take up the area of up to 13 soccer fields.
Among other things, the district politicians fear that the giant greenhouse, which should also be illuminated at night to improve the growth of the products grown there, will result in significant light pollution and a negative noise effect. The large glass surfaces, according to the criticism, could amplify the noise from the neighboring railway line for the surrounding residential areas.
Focus on groundwater
The three factions, who are hoping for a large majority for their resolution in the next district council meeting, see “a massive intervention in the landscape” because a large area would no longer be usable for animals. The planned irrigation pond will also remove urgently needed groundwater from the ground. If the production of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in the huge greenhouse is no longer profitable due to high energy prices, the coalition fears that the consortium of companies will withdraw and the industrial sector will fall into disuse.
Farmer Jirko Stiller has been planning the project, which costs around 30 million euros, for a little over a year and has repeatedly emphasized that the energy is largely self-generated. The production is environmentally friendly and leaves a positive CO2-footprint, because the markets in the region that Stiller wants to supply with his products no longer have to import the vegetables from abroad.
