Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman
Organic farmers in Austria
In Austria, every tenth farmer practices organic farming and produces controlled organic products. Organic farming is considered the most environmentally compatible form of agriculture. Yet ‘organic’ means more than just doing without synthetic chemicals.
It is backed by a philosophy of ecological management and living with nature and by the awareness that these natural resources have to be used in an environmentally compatible manner so as to be able to preserve them for future generations without a loss of value.Organic farming is a holistic approach which takes is based on the following principles:
· Lowest possible use of external energy sources, e.g. doing without artificial fertiliser.
· Utilisation of natural self-regulating mechanisms through diversified crop-rotation and the use of
beneficial animals.
· Nourishment of the soils instead of the plant through careful soil cultivation and the application of
compost.
· Fullest farming cycles possible, for example through the use of compost or dung, muck or animal
slurry.
· Species-appropriate animal keeping through animal husbandry systems well tailored to the needs of
the respective animals. The feed has to come from organic farming and no performance-increasing
supplements, such as antibiotics, may be used as feed additives.
· Protection of environmental resources By taking all these principles into account, organic farming
can ensure a rather careful dealing with the environment and with our natural resources.
The Austrian Agri-environmental Programme is a key prerequisite for the positive development of organic farming. With the approval of the “Programme for Rural Development 2007-20013” in late October 2007 organic farming will be further promoted in the framework of the Agri-environmental Programme ÖPUL 2007 by means of the measure ‘Organic Farm Management’.
Ever since Austria joined the European Economic Area in July 1994, Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 on organic production of agricultural products has been applicable in Austria. Organic products must comply with the production, labelling and control provisions of this EU Regulation.
In 2006, Austria had 20,162 organic farms with an agriculturally utilised area of approximately 361,000 hectares; this accounts for approximately 15 percent of the total agriculturally utilised area (not including alpine pastures). This means that more than 10 percent of all Austrian agricultural and forestry enterprises are organic farms. With these figures, Austria holds a top position in the European Union.
The rapid progress in organic farming took place above all in Austria’s grassland areas, which are mainly located in the alpine west of the country. Grassland management is traditionally very extensive in Austria; also the extensive management of alpine pastures is not to be forgot. In most cases the conversion to organic farming was more easily in grassland farms than it was for the holdings with arable land and special crops.
However, in recent years also the areas under arable crops have experienced a veritable organic boom. Between 2000 and 2006 alone, Austria’s area under organic farming increased from 69,000 hectares to approximately 143,000 hectares and thus more than doubled.
Animal husbandry was practised in approximately 17,500 organic farms in 2006; these are 86.5 percent of the organic farms. Average stocks were at approx. 16.7 livestock units (LUs) per holding.
Almost two thirds of Austria’s organic farms are a member in one of the organic farming associations. With about 14,000 organic farms, BIO AUSTRIA, which officially started its activities in 2005, is one of the largest organic farmers associations worldwide.
Controls of organic farms apply to the entire production process. This means that not only organic farmers, but also processing companies are subject to control.
In order to make sure that the consumer can identify foodstuffs from organic farming at first glance, AMA Marketing l.l.c. has created the AMA organic label. These products have to be made entirely of raw materials from organic farming.
The growing trend towards wholesome organic nutrition is reflected in higher sales figures for organic products. Where are organic products purchased? In Austria, supermarkets with a share of 75 percent account for the highest portion of organic food sales. Regional marketing (organic food shops, bakers, butchers, the catering industry, industrial kitchens) accounts for 10 %, direct marketing (farmers’ markets, farmers’ shops, delivery services, party services and farm-gate sale) for 15 %. Experts estimate that the organic food industry in Austria turns over a total of 450 million euros per annum.
For detailed information on organic food, see www.biolebensmittel.at. Organic food can also be ordered online via BIO-Shopping. Here you will find the addresses of 1,500 organic farmers with the products they offer.
22.02.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit