Austrian Chamber of Agriculture

The Austrian Chamber of Agriculture emphasizes the urgent need to defossilize the European Unions economy, to reduce the dependencies on fossil-based and critical raw materials. In times of geopolitical insecurities and vulnerable supply changes, defossilization and the reduction of dependencies are essential to strengthen and expand resilience and economic viability in the EU-27.

On behalf of the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, BIO AUSTRIA, and the IG-Bio-Control Bodies, I would like to submit the following concise proposals within the framework of the simplification process for Regulation (EU) 2018/848. These proposals would lay the foundation also for a restructuring of the secondary legislation system and could contribute to greater clarity on specific interpretive issues.

Once again, the focus of this initiative is very much on the excessive push for the use of electrical energy. The challenging areas of heating, cooling and transport identified in the paper cannot be so easily and above all fully electrified, especially in the short time required.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The Austrian Chamber of Agriculture supports the aim of this regulation which is stopping global deforestation but underlines that its current requirements are neither fit for purpose nor proportionate as they exempt EU farmers and foresters from any market interaction if they do not prove that their area is deforestation free (although the pastures and soy fields have been arable land since centuries and the forest…

Rückmeldung Omnibus-Paket Wien, 04. Mai 2026 1. Allgemeines zur Mitteilung: Vereinfachungen für eine nachhaltige Wettbewerbsfähigkeit Die Landwirtschaftskammer Österreich begrüßt grundsätzlich die Zielsetzung der Kommission, regulatorische Komplexität zu reduzieren und die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit zu stärken.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Opening of the attached position paper · the full paper is on the Commission’s record (source link above)

The Austrian Chamber of Agriculture welcomes the objective of establishing uniform guidance for the application of the DNSH principle within the EU budget. Harmonisation can help simplify the currently differing requirements. However, it is crucial that the new guidance does not lead to increased complexity. The criteria and control mechanisms must be designed as simple as possible.

We welcome the updated nitrous oxide efficacy values and also the introduction of a 45 gCO/MJ bonus for biomethane from manure. The planned amendments to Annexes V and VI of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) raise some questions and serious concerns about regulatory consistency and fairness.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The forestry and wood sectors make a significant and often underestimated contribution to climate action. In Austria, this contribution has accumulated to around 990 mio. tonnes of CO since 1990, which have been removed from the atmosphere or not additionally emitted due to active forest management. This effect results from the increase in forest growing stock (from approx. 900 Mio. m³ in 1990 to about 1.2 bn.

The Austrian Chamber of Agriculture welcomes the willingness and ambition of the European Commission to strengthen the position of farmers in the supply chain. However, this must not create new red tape, but only real benefits for farmers.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

We would be able to provide the following feedback from the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture in the context of the consultation on the proposed Delegated Act. The Austrian Chamber of Agriculture fully supports the letter from the 16 Member States, including Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria, dated 15 October 2024, to the EC, DG Energy.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The Austrian Chamber of Agriculture supports the proposed amendments. As it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure a comprehensive supply of physical veterinarians, an increase in flexibility while using up-to-date technological methods is to be welcomed.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The LULUCF regulation and its insufficient consideration of climate change effects and external factors in scenario development, the omission of substitution effects through biogenic materials and energy sources, and methodologically inaccurate sectoral allocations are leading to incorrect assumptions about the actual sink performance of the LULUCF sector and thus to illusory regulation targets.