2023-07-04 09:57:35
Practical specifications required
St. Pölten (OTS) – On Monday, July 3rd, the general assembly of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture met in the LK-Technik Mold. The focus was on the demand for practicable specifications and framework conditions at EU level, the protection of farmer’s property and the effects of market openings on agricultural markets.
“Our farmers do an enormous amount every day to supply our country with regional food, and they are also local energy producers. They stand for security of supply. So that they can continue to fulfill this task and produce sustainably, a rethinking at EU level is also needed. With more focus on food security, a commitment to important crop protection and fewer restrictions,” explains LH deputy Stephan Pernkopf. Chamber of Agriculture Lower Austria President Johannes Schmuckenschlager confirms: “Many EU regulations are far from reality for agricultural and forestry practice. We do not need a union of prohibitions and penalties, but a union of freedom and competitiveness.”
This can be seen, for example, in the EU draft regulation on nature restoration, which represents a massive and disproportionate restriction on the management of agricultural and forest habitats. The draft was rejected in the environmental committee of the European Parliament – subsequently the European Parliament plenum has to decide. However, the points that are essential for agriculture and forestry are still insufficiently or not at all taken into account in the draft regulation, which is why a general revision is required. Important aspects are the anchoring of the balance between security of supply and the achievement of the objectives of the ordinance, the protection of property rights and the priority of voluntariness. Furthermore, the farmers must be fully compensated for the limitations in farming options.
Protect farm property
The ownership and use of land is the basis for agricultural and forestry work and is essential to ensure self-sufficiency with food and raw materials. Schmuckenschlager emphasizes: “Without the bond between our farmers and the land they have been entrusted with, family businesses would no longer be able to farm our homeland. This elementary capital is passed on responsibly from generation to generation. The protection of this farm property is a social necessity and not an end in itself.” In order for this to remain so, it is necessary for all sections of the population to have respect for our farm livelihoods. Efforts to intervene in the property rights of farming families would endanger the existence of our local family businesses. Furthermore, the Chamber of Agriculture is vehemently opposed to new property taxes. The appreciation of rural property is also reflected in the considerate exercise of leisure activities by the population. The personal responsibility and freedom of the companies must be preserved.
Market openings need clear framework conditions
The volatility of the prices for agricultural products, for energy and for operating resources has reached enormous proportions in recent years and accordingly presents the farms with economic challenges. Several factors are responsible for this development, with the Russian war of aggression once morest Ukraine playing a key role. “The effect on the flow of goods will give us problems on the European market in the long term. Therefore, clear framework conditions are needed to integrate these markets,” said Schmuckenschlager. In order not to affect the regional market, the chamber calls for ensuring and controlling the transit of goods from Ukrainian agricultural exports towards ports to target markets outside the EU. Furthermore, the effects of measures must not only be considered for the countries bordering Ukraine, but must be regularly evaluated for the entire EU market. In addition, whenever the agricultural markets are opened up in the future, there must be a switch from the existing product standard principle to a production standard principle.
About the General Assembly of the Lower Austrian State Chamber of Agriculture
The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body for the representation of agriculture in Lower Austria. It consists of 40 members who also exercise functions as state chamber councillors. The plenary assembly serves to advise and pass resolutions on all matters of the Lower Austrian State Chamber of Agriculture, insofar as the Main Committee or the President are not responsible. (Ending)
Questions & contact:
BY Christina Spangl,
Press spokeswoman for the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture
Tel.: 05 0259 28101,
Mobil: 0664 60259 28101,
E-Mail: [email protected]
1688464925
#Schmuckenschlager #Protecting #farm #property #social #necessity
