"Animal welfare is important to all of us – the farmers as well as the consumers. Austria is already one of the countries with the highest animal welfare standards. With the adoption of the new legislative package, we are further expanding our leading international position. At the same time, we are giving our family farms planning security and will continue to ensure a reliable supply of food in the country in the future," emphasized Minister of Agriculture Norbert Totschnig on the occasion of the National Council's decision on the comprehensive animal welfare package. It was drawn up jointly by the federal government, with the involvement of the public, farmers' interest groups, industry representatives and representatives of civil society.

 

Totschnig sees animal welfare not only as a task for the farmers, but also as a responsibility for society as a whole: "Anyone who orders higher standards also has to pay for them. Asking for the expensive but buying the cheap is not an option. The decision to increase animal welfare is made every day on the supermarket shelf. That's why I appeal to food retailers as well as to consumers to focus on regional products. This is how we strengthen our family farms, protect the environment through shorter transport routes and the added value stays in the country."