Innovations, trends

Hot topics that concern our farmers

Agriculture is facing challenges - and not just in Austria.

(Bild: pressmaster - stock.adobe.com)

Laboratory meat, renaturation law. Looser genetic engineering rules, continuous use of glyphosate. An "animal welfare cent" that could also set a precedent here. Vegan food trends, sustainability measures and concerns about climate change. The agricultural sector is facing an uncertain future.

Farmers in several European countries held demonstrations to protest against low producer prices, rising costs, cheap imports and climate protection requirements imposed by the European Union.

In Germany, the federal government promised farmers concessions. The Italian and French governments acted similarly.

Herausforderungen und Chancen

Die (offenen) Baustellen im Bereich Landwirtschaft und Co.:

Looser genetic engineering rules
At the beginning of February, the EU Parliament voted in favor of looser genetic engineering rules. The EU Commission's legislative proposal stipulates that some new genomic processes should no longer fall under the strict rules for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Genetic engineering sceptics reject the proposal, but it met with approval in the agricultural sector.

"Animal welfare cents" as a price premium
In Germany, an "animal welfare cent" is currently being discussed as a price surcharge for meat in supermarkets. The Ministry of Agriculture has drawn up a concept at the request of the Ampel parliamentary groups. This would serve as the basis for the introduction of a consumption tax on meat and meat products. An idea that also has a future in Austria?

Domestic laying hen houses empty, many imports
According to the Styrian Chamber of Agriculture, fluctuating prices and increased production costs mean that some domestic laying hen houses are currently empty. At the same time, imports of foreign eggs are increasing sharply. We don't know "which eggs are in mayonnaise, pasta and various cakes", they said just days before the Easter celebrations!

Glyphosate still permitted
The current approval for the controversial weedkiller glyphosate would have expired in the EU on December 15. In November, the EU Commission announced that the approval would be extended by ten years. Previously, too few representatives of the EU member states had spoken out in favor of the continued use of the product. Alternatives to glyphosate are being worked on. One product is already being tested on plants and is due to come onto the market in 2028

More and more organic farmers are giving up
The reasons for this are price increases and the authorities setting a bad example. The number of farms across Austria fell from 25,081 (2022) to 24,148 last year. Farmers are therefore paid too little to be able to generate a sufficient income.

Plant and animal diseases
Diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, bird flu, swine fever and mad cow disease are a recurring problem for farmers. These can lead to mass deaths among livestock and cause considerable economic losses for farmers and the food industry. In the fields, potato disease and cereal blight cause concern, as do soil pests and insect infestations.

Seal of quality

(Bild: Krone KREATIV, Greenpeace)

Criticism of the AMA quality seal
Chicks that are deliberately trampled, beaten to death or run over: Until recently, these scenes were a cruel reality in three Austrian chicken farms - all of which have been awarded the AMA seal of approval, according to Denise Kubala, campaigner for the VGT.

From an animal welfare perspective, the AMA seal of approval is not a figurehead - and no guarantee of quality. "It is no better than the legal minimum standard." And that is already appallingly low anyway. In general, there is a veritable "seal of approval jungle".

Sustainability and environmental protection
There is growing pressure to make agricultural practices more sustainable and to improve environmental protection. This can include reducing the use of chemicals or introducing new cultivation and management methods. Additions, upgrades and equipment that many farmers may not be able to afford.

Ban on fully slatted floors for pigs
The upcoming ban is a positive step for politicians. Pigs that spend their lives on bare slats instead of rooting around in straw: Not popular with critical consumers, but unfortunately a reality in many areas of domestic pig farming. And a tried and tested system for farmers, not least because of the enormous cost pressure. The aim is to put an end to this by 2030 and finally make a pig's life worth living again.

Labor shortage 
Demographic change and a shortage of labor in agriculture pose a challenge. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find qualified workers, especially for seasonal work.

Food trends are here to stay
Lean times for the meat industry: despite stable sales, many businesses are slipping into the red. High price pressure is further accelerating the demise of traditional butchers, as is the vegan - or vegetarian - trend.

Renaturation law
At the end of February, the EU Parliament adopted the EU renaturation law by a narrow majority. The controversial compromise on restoring nature has thus cleared the penultimate hurdle before it comes into force. Austria abstained due to a decision by the federal states.

Origin labeling in canteens
Where does the schnitzel come from, how regional are the apricot dumplings? Anyone who is served food in canteens and can teens will be informed of this in future: since September 2023, origin labeling of food in communal catering has been mandatory.

Lab-grown meat soon to be on our plates?
According to a recent online survey, 63% of Austrians are in favor of the approval of so-called lab-grown meat, provided it has been found to be safe. Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig warns against "becoming blindly dependent on a few large international corporations when it comes to food". The Farmers' Union also reacted with shock and already questioned the seriousness of the survey.

Climate change and extreme weather
As in many other countries, Austrian farmers are also confronted with the effects of climate change. Extreme weather events such as droughts, heavy rainfall and heatwaves affect crop yields and make agricultural production more difficult.