Much has not been known, not even the places where they are kept. What is certain is that the government authorities are stockpiling quantities of food just in case. The mind at this time goes to the worst-case scenario: An open war with it with attacks on critical infrastructure, such as electricity, or on targeted sites that make the supply of basic food impossible.
Experience from the war has shown that agriculture and food production in particular are one of the first targets.
Safety net
So in case of emergency the German government has quantities of wheat, rye, lentils, oats, rice, peas and condensed milk available. It is the safety net for the country’s citizens designed since the 1960s in response to times of crisis and legislated under the Nutrition Prevention Act.
As a spokesman from the Ministry of Agriculture said, it has never had to be used – thankfully – but no one knows as times are tough. About the exact quantities very little is known for security reasons. However, a government response to a parliamentary inquiry in July 2022, a few months after Russia invaded Ukraine, revealed that 705,000 tonnes of grain, 126,000 tonnes of rice and pulses and 5,000 tonnes of condensed milk were stored across Germany. If he compares the quantities with the 8.7 million tons of grain consumed by the Germans, the stored quantities in no way cover the real needs.
However, this is only a safety net, i.e. they are expressly intended to cover needs for a limited period of time. Compared to 1978, the stocks have decreased by 62%. The decrease is likely due to citizens having to fend for themselves for home supplies. The Federal Civil Protection Agency has released a new updated guide with recommendations for the inevitable scenario. “Even war does not seem as likely as it was a few years ago”, it is said. “But if it happens, it’s good to be prepared.” In the new guide there are clear instructions for citizens on what they should have for at least 10 days. From water bottles to a flashlight, batteries and a crank radio.
“Exercises” of war
There is also a veil of mystery regarding the location of the warehouses so that they are not looted in the event of a crisis. In general, however, the location is adjusted according to the number of inhabitants, while the grain is stored near mills. According to the Federal Food and Agriculture Service, the government rents the warehouses from private companies, is responsible for storage and supervision, and every ten years must replace the food. An important factor is that the stored food is ready to eat, because there is no certainty that there will be time or energy for cooking. The scene of preparations is completed by the news that since the night before yesterday at midnight special forces of the German army have been conducting “war rehearsals” in a Berlin subway station. The scenario was an attack on a train in a tunnel, with soldiers invading the carriage, shooting, shouting, dead and wounded.
A fantasy scenario?
“Not at all,” says the battalion commander, “it’s a very realistic possibility since Putin with his bigotry is terrorizing Ukraine.” The training will continue in the following days at other stations in the German capital with the participation of the Berlin Fire Service. During the exercises, simulation exercises for road clearing, evacuation of forces, arresting saboteurs and low-visibility combat will also take place. The first exercises of this type began last year and are not conducted with live fire. Citizens have been informed about this and do not panic if they see a sniper. And everyone hopes that all these will remain scenarios.
