Increased bonus per hectare
By adapting the CAP National Strategic Plan that the Head of Department recently submitted for approval in Brussels, the organic farming measure will provide organic farmers with an additional €30 million per year from 2025. In addition, from next year, the premium for organic arable land will be increased to €235/ha.
The planned support for transaction costs related to running a business in the amount of EUR 400 per company per year is expected to bring particular benefits to smaller farms. Approval of the CAP Strategic Plan by the European Commission is expected in September.
Sales promotion measures
According to Totschnig, additional financial resources should help increase demand for organic goods in line with the market, in order to be able to sell organically produced products at a higher price and therefore economically profitable. With appropriate sales promotion measures, this contributes to even better marketing. The 2023+ environmental action program developed by Austria serves as an indispensable strategic guide for the further positive development of this industry.
According to Barbara Riegler, president of the umbrella organization Bio Austria, the announced adjustments are urgently necessary due to the current difficult economic situation. For organic production to fully develop its potential for sustainable agriculture in Austria, further development of the future CAP is essential. The first priority should be overall greening through organic farming.
