Pulp: 30 years for the future of sustainable agriculture in Austria!

Pulp: 30 years for the future of sustainable agriculture in Austria!

Wien, Österreich - The Austrian agricultural environment program (ÖPUPUL) celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. According to Econews The program has been established as a central part of Austrian agricultural policy since the EU accession in 1995. Over 89,000 companies, which corresponds to more than 80 % of farmers in Austria, voluntarily take part. It is particularly striking that around 22,500 of these companies practice biological economic methods.

As part of ÖPUL, over 240,000 hectares of biodiversity and nature conservation areas have been funded. In addition, more than two million individual trees, including one million orchards, were supported. This ecological benefit is also made by Dr. Andreas Bohner highlighted the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, which emphasizes the importance of the Öpul for agriculture, landscape and biodiversity. The press trip to honor the program took place in Upper Austria and showed the success of the program in the practical implementation.

biodiversity and nature conservation

The Farmland Bird Index, an indicator of bird diversity in the cultural country, shows stabilization, which means a positive trend for biodiversity. ÖPUL supports environmentally friendly management methods that help get healthy soils and clean water. Agriculture is increasingly being positioned as an important partner in the fight against climate change. Humus structure in soils plays a central role in carbon binding.

With more than 70 % of agricultural companies that manage disadvantaged areas and ecologically sensitive habitats, ÖPUL also has a decisive function for the preservation of alpine habitats. These habitats, especially alpine pastures and mountain meadows, are of great importance for numerous endemites, the continued existence of which depends on an active alpine pasture.

financing and incentives

Since 1995, a total of around 16 billion euros have been invested in voluntary environmental services. Every year, over 40 % of the budget of rural development flow into Öpul. From 2024, the premium payments will be made more attractive, and new measures to promote the biological economy are to be introduced. This is also shown in the statement by Josef Moosbrugger from the Austria Chamber of Agriculture, which praises the role of incentive systems.

ÖPUL is viewed as an exemplary model for the compatibility of agriculture and environmental protection. Participating companies not only benefit from financial advantages, but also actively contribute to the ecological upgrading of the landscape. However, farmer Michaela Spachinger demands more flexibility and less bureaucracy in dealing with the program requirements. This request could secure the success of ÖPUL in the long term and further increase the participation rate.

The Austrian agricultural environment program shows how sustainable agriculture and nature conservation can successfully go hand in hand. The aim is to reduce environmental pollution and to promote sustainable land management. According to the Environmental Bundesamt meet EU funding strict minimum standards to achieve the protection goals for water, soil and air and thus to protect wild plants and animals.