Future of agriculture: urgent demands on politics!

Future of agriculture: urgent demands on politics!

In the middle of the current discussions about the future orientation of agriculture in Austria, the President of the Lower Austria Chamber of Agriculture, Johannes Schmuckenschlager, demands clear commitments from the future federal government. He emphasizes that it is essential to make the framework for the domestic agriculture and forestry to ensure that it will be quick for rural businesses, such as ots.at reports.

Schmuckenschlager particularly criticizes the impending competitive disadvantages by the EU Mercosur trade agreement, which in his opinion endangers local production and nutritional security. He warns of a complete opening of the agricultural market to the detriment of Austrian agriculture and calls for a vehemently deployment of the new government against this agreement and the planned association agreement between the EU and Ukraine.

urgent measures and support for agriculture

The Chamber of Agriculture also urges rapid regulations for pig farming after the constitutional court has lifted the existing transition periods. "The pig farmers are dependent on clear legal framework conditions that depend on their existence," explains Schmuckenschlager. There is also a significant need for action to improve house rights in Austria, since the current criminal protection is not sufficient to protect farms from illegal penetration, as is also emphasized in the report of noe.lko.at

To financial relief for the companies, three measures for reimbursement of taxes and duties have already been agreed, which are intended to offer noticeable support for 2024. This is a temporary agrardiesel, a soil management contribution and a reimbursement of the CO2 taxes, which together enable a relief of around 37.5 cents per liter of agrardiesel. These measures are crucial to counter the increased operating costs and to secure the competitiveness of domestic agriculture.