Organic Farming in Austria 2002 - Organic Europe

Austriahttp://www.organic-europe.net/country_reports/austria/2002/TMPf3vu4j4i61.aspPage 7 of 1604.05.2009Experience has shown that grassland farms or farms with a highproportion of grassland are easier to convert to organic farmingbecause they have always been cultivated extensively.In the traditional arable regions of eastern Austria (i.e. the provinces ofBurgenland and Lower Austria), the number of organic farms isconsiderably lower.Table : Distribution of Members of Austrian Organic FarmingAssociations Among the federal states (31.12.2001) (Source: ARGE-Biolandbau)6 Land Use, Animal HusbandryMost of the certified organic farms in Austria are grassland farms, whileonly ca.one quarter are predominantly arable farms. Approximately oneper cent grows special crops (fruit, herbs, etc.) and wine. Presently,however, there is tendency for more arable farms to convert.top of pageAustria’s organic farms are small and medium-scale, and the averagesize is approximately fourteen hectares. About fifty per cent of allorganic farms comprise only five to fifteen hectares. Approximatelyninety-seven per cent of all organic farms have cattle, on averagebetween eleven and eighteen head. The few organic farms withoutcattle are located almost exclusively in the arable regions of easternAustria (Schneeberger and Eder, 1999) 1 .The total number of livestock kept on Austrian organic farms in 2000shows the overall importance of dairy farming.Table: Livestock on Organic Farms in Austria 31.12.2000Source: Kirner, 2001Number ofAnimalsCattle 326,653Dairy cows 93,527Suckler cows 59,637Sheep 90,009Goats 15,785Pigs 34,703Poultry 345,747top of pageThe number of animals varies greatly from region to region ( see table ).Table: Livestock on Organic Farms in the Austrian Provinces 2000(Source: Kirner, 2001)7 Standards and CertificationThe minimum legal standards for organic farming in Austria are definedby the Council Regulation EEC No. 2092/91. Members of farmers’associations must also fulfil the (usually stricter or more specific)