Land&Forst Betriebe Österreich calls for drought relief package

The Land&Forst Betriebe Österreich association is calling for a comprehensive drought relief package to stabilize costs and ensure liquidity for agricultural businesses following significant drought damage. While the association welcomed recent easing of ÖPUL (Agri-environmental Programme) regulations—such as flexible planting deadlines and automatic recognition of drought in affected areas to reduce bureaucracy—it maintains that further measures are necessary.

President Konrad Mylius stated that the extraordinary drought has caused harvest failures, fodder shortages, and increased costs, all while businesses must meet ongoing financial obligations. The association is specifically demanding three central measures: interest-subsidized loans, subsidies for fertilizer costs, and the earliest possible disbursement of direct payments and ÖPUL premiums.