Pick for German agriculture minister withdraws after activists storm farm

Gunther Felner says wife was in fear of life and limb' after animal rights group climbed shed and set off flares

The conservative pick for German agriculture minister has withdrawn his candidacy after animal rights activists stormed his farm, prompting cross-party condemnation.

Gunther Felner, a farming lobbyist who had won the backing of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), said his wife was in fear of life and limb" when activists climbed on to the cattle shed she was in to hang a banner and light smoke-emitting flares on Monday.