Norbert Sieber: – “Can’t force the peasants to convert”

„Krone“: Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig did not cut a particularly good figure in the “Krone” interview shortly after taking office. Isn’t animal welfare so important to him?
Norbert Sieber: The Animal Welfare Act, with which he negotiated as director of the farmers’ association, is about a pragmatic approach and what is feasible. True, the start with the interview in the “Krone” was not optimal. The whole team was new, you can tick that off as a minor mistake – unpleasant, but forgivable. He has since gained a foothold.

Pigs must live on fully slatted floors until 2039. Is that pragmatic?
The populist way would have been to completely ban slatted floors with immediate effect, putting together a two- to four-billion-dollar package for the farmers so they could convert the stables. In addition, meat from the entire slatted floor farming sector should have been banned from the shelf – in such a way that no products from abroad may be sold either. This in turn is not in accordance with European regulations. And I can’t force farmers to make the change while giving consumers a choice. And so the pragmatic path was found with an exit in 2039. That is not enough for animal rights activists, but it is still a challenge for farmers.

What exactly is this challenge?
Farmers who – in accordance with the law – have invested in this form of livestock farming must present the investment on a market economy. If I’m forced to switch but am stuck with funding, that’s a farmer’s economic death. Otherwise there will have to be restructuring aid – and it will run into the billions. In agriculture, I don’t have depreciation periods of three or four years, but longer ones. In 2013 I built a biological barn. The credit for this will expire in 2038. That is why there is this long transition period.

There are also long transition periods for tethering. Aren’t they a little too long?
In Austria, a distinction must be made between combined farming and year-round farming. But that is a real challenge in certain regions. Also in Vorarlberg we have a lot of precipitation and wet soil. The bottom line is that tethering is a year-round model that’s been phased out. The final end is not planned until 2030, but the AMA regulations already foresee restrictions from 2025.

What does that mean?
For example, “Vorarlberg Milch” can no longer accept products from companies that do not have an AMA certificate. There will be no more milk and meat from farms with year-round tethering. For some farmers who have no successor and who will retire in the next ten years, the switch no longer pays off. They are going to phase out dairy farming.

You are an organic farmer. Is this the way of the future?
Organic is one of many ways. A few years ago I rented the land of the Mehrerau Monastery where organic farming is practiced. Over the course of this, my family and I converted the entire operation on the Fluh. We now know the challenges and benefits of this type of farming and I think this is a good way to go, especially in dairy farming and meat production. But it’s no easy feat. Marketing is not guaranteed success. Reasonable prices can be obtained on the market, but there is no room for maneuver.

They also participate in the animal welfare program “Vorarlberg Milch”. What is that exactly?
Those who meet certain criteria – for example that the cattle remain in the pasture for 120 days, have access to exercise and a box – will receive an animal welfare bonus of two cents per liter of milk. That is a nice amount, for which some effort is worth it. A cow produces 6,000 liters of milk per year, the national average. If you have ten cows, you will receive an extra 1,200 euros.

Change of subject: How do you actually use the summer holidays in the House of Representatives?
In addition to various meetings in the country, there is also much to experience on the farm. In addition, my wife and I treat ourselves to a trip to Serbia. My parents are both in need of care and have two 24 hour carers from Serbia who are now part of the family. We’re going to visit one.

Your parliamentary highlight this year?
I also see the special child benefit of 180 euros per child as part of my personal success. 1.9 million children benefit from the more than 300 million euros that will be paid out. This payment in the cost of living adjustments package is very accurate and fast.

Does every family depend on the 180 euros per child?
There are many families that do not have minimum income, but are still groaning under inflation. I know few people who say that rising costs are not a problem. That is why we opted for a system that helps everyone, but is also fast and efficient.

The oft-criticized watering system?
Nothing is more difficult than getting money to the people in accordance with the rules and the constitution. There is always criticism. Although I wouldn’t talk about the watering can principle when it comes to child support. People with children carry a financial burden. If I pay out aid in a targeted manner, I need systems that are complex and long-lasting. We saw that during the Corona period at the family emergency fund: there were 200 people working in the ministry. There was constant criticism of why the money didn’t come, why it took so long. That was the reality. Now we have a system that works at the touch of a button – and maybe only a few people don’t need support.