In the krone.tv interview, Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig sticks with Gerhard Koller in his criticism of Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler and her yes to the EU renaturation law.
“She should have reached an agreement with the state governors before giving her approval. She didn’t. It is extraordinary when a minister from a party that always and everywhere emphasizes the rule of law now puts ideology above the law. I never expected her to actually do this and I am actually still astonished that it is possible. ‘This is a major breach of trust and the law,’ said the Minister of Agriculture.
The fundamental goal of the renaturation law, such as opening up the soil or restoring wet heathlands, is correct, but Gewessler’s approach would be the wrong approach. Totschnig: “For us in agriculture, forestry and water management, intact nature is of great importance. And we also live by it. In the area of reforestation, for example: in 2021 alone, we planted 25 million trees. 27 percent of our area is cultivated organically. And we search because the forest is on the move. No other country can do that.” Totschnig prefers a policy of incentives to motivate people. And not a policy of bans and rules.
Restructure the size of Styria
There are numerous, sometimes conflicting, interests associated with land. Totschnig: “The big challenge is to reconcile the diverse requirements for agriculture, forestry and water management. This also includes security of supply; we want to produce food. Also the extraction of wood from the forest for timber construction. Or water for generating energy.” The renaturation law would also bring new bureaucratic requirements. And many tasks in the area of area renaturation, which involves 20 percent of the land area: “If you convert that to Austria, that means that the size of Styria has to be renatured. You then ask yourself: who pays for that? It is not clear who is going to pay for that.”
Young agriculture
The mood among local farmers is much better than expected. Totschnig justifies this with data from a recent survey: “75 percent of all farmers see the future as neutral to very positive. This is a very pleasant value. Austria also has the youngest agricultural sector of all EU member states. We have approximately the highest percentage of “under 40 years”.
Watch the full interview in the video above!
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Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
