Fair competition along the entire food supply chain: This is the stated goal of a recent initiative by Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig , Lower Austria's Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf, and Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture Vice President Lorenz Mayr. The National Council has given the proposal broad support – an issue also relevant for bakeries and confectioneries, as raw materials such as grain and dairy products are also imported and should be subject to the same competitive conditions as domestically produced goods.

What's behind the announced checks?

The starting point: Domestic businesses must comply with strict legal requirements – for example, regarding plant protection, environmental and water protection, and food safety. At the same time, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, products manufactured under conditions that would not be permitted in Austria or the EU repeatedly reach the European market. This is precisely where Totschnig is focusing his efforts: From now on, he is ordering stricter controls on feed imports from third countries; the Federal Office for Food Safety (BAES) is responsible for this.

“Our farmers produce food under the highest environmental and quality standards. We are clearly committed to sustainable agriculture, and this quality comes at a price. Fair competition can only take place where comparable rules apply,” said Totschnig. Therefore, in modern trade agreements, new import quotas should be tied to sustainable production conditions that meet the high EU standards.

Specifically, the BAES will be examining single and compound feedstuffs in the coming months: traceability of origin, pesticide active ingredients, and undesirable and prohibited substances will be checked. This official control program will be supplemented by self-monitoring by feed companies and by the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).

"Nobody believes that controls are as strict in Asia as in Aderklaa."

Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf also made his position clear: “Equal rights for all must also mean equal production standards for all. Therefore, strict import controls are necessary. Instead of more bureaucracy for domestic producers, we need more protection against foreign products that do not meet our standards. After all, nobody believes that, for example, controls in Asia are as strict as in Aderklaa.”

Lorenz Mayr, Vice President of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture , goes a step further and calls for a fundamental rethink – away from pure product standards and towards production standards: “The final product alone says nothing about the conditions under which food was produced. What matters is how it is produced and according to which standards it is manufactured.” Only in this way can a level playing field be created for domestic and imported goods. Mayr is clear: “It cannot be that food is imported that was produced under conditions that are, for good reason, prohibited in Austria. There must be no double standards in competition. Anyone who demands the highest standards from our farmers must ensure that these also apply to imported goods. Fair competition requires the same rules for everyone. What is prohibited in Austria for good reason must not end up back on our plates via imports.”

Parliament approves – Greens oppose, FPÖ's own motions fail

There is also support at the parliamentary level: According to parliamentary correspondence from July 6, 2026, the National Council, with the votes of the ÖVP, SPÖ, NEOS, and FPÖ, adopted a resolution proposed by the governing parties aimed at ensuring fair competition in the import and export of food products. The resolution focuses on the Mercosur agreement between the EU and Latin American countries, as well as agricultural imports from Ukraine. Among other things, it calls for the consistent adherence to agreed safeguard clauses, EU-wide controls, and stricter limits on maximum residue levels for pesticide active ingredients not approved in the EU.

The Greens voted against the motion – from their point of view it was already the responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure effective controls, therefore a separate resolution was superfluous.

Two further motions by the FPÖ failed to gain a majority: The Freedom Party had demanded an immediate import ban on all agricultural products as well as food and feed that do not meet Austrian health, environmental or animal welfare standards.

The factions take different positions.

From the FPÖ's perspective, the government initiative doesn't go far enough. MP Albert Royer called it a "wishy-washy" proposal that wouldn't help farmers. Alois Kainz emphasized that inspections alone wouldn't solve the problem – "equal treatment" was crucial: what's prohibited for domestic farms shouldn't be allowed for imported goods either. Together with Michael Fürtbauer, he called for a general import ban on non-standard agricultural products, modeled on the French system. Manuel Pfeifer added that effective protection was needed for both agriculture and consumers.

The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) defended its proposal as a viable compromise. Johannes Schmuckenschlager explained that his party clearly supports free trade – but it must be fair. He stated that they had negotiated safeguard clauses into the Mercosur agreement "right up to the last minute." Manfred Hofinger pointed out that the existing import controls had already proven effective and called for their consistent implementation. Georg Strasser emphasized that it was now crucial to "put the negotiated safety mechanisms into practice."

The SPÖ also advocated for strict controls, particularly regarding the use of pesticides. Elisabeth Feichtinger emphasized the need for "fair rules of the game": It is unacceptable that products manufactured under conditions no longer acceptable in Austria should be allowed on the domestic market. Petra Tanzler argued that the FPÖ's proposals were not in accordance with EU law and stressed that only common regulations could effectively protect domestic agriculture.

Karin Doppelbauer (NEOS) referred to previous debates surrounding free trade agreements, such as the 2017 agreement with Canada (CETA), which has since proven to be a win-win situation – also for agriculture. Free trade creates opportunities, leads to quality improvements, and drives innovation, Doppelbauer said.

David Stögmüller (Greens), however, voiced sharp criticism: The government's motion was "vaguely" worded, and he accused Agriculture Minister Totschnig of "refusing to do his job." Regarding the FPÖ's motions, he questioned whether they were truly about food safety or primarily about making Ukraine a scapegoat. Ukraine, he argued, was already obligated to gradually align its standards as part of its EU accession process – a path that should be supported, not obstructed.

The Farmers' Association sees protection for family farms and consumers.

The Austrian Farmers' Association (ÖVP) has welcomed the move. President Georg Strasser, who is also a member of parliament for the ÖVP, sees the increased feed controls as an important step for family farms and consumers alike: "Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig's decision is correct and consistent. I thank him for this important initiative. Our farmers produce according to the highest standards. Anyone who wants access to our market must adhere to the same rules. Products produced under conditions that are prohibited here must not put domestic agriculture at a competitive disadvantage."

Strasser also points to the broad parliamentary support: “People must be able to rely on imported products being safe and complying with European regulations. What is prohibited in Austria and the EU must not re-enter our food and feed chain via imports. Consistent controls protect our farming families, our food production, and consumer confidence.”

What happens next?

Whether the announced controls will be sufficient to truly ensure a level playing field will only become clear in the coming months. Totschnig, Pernkopf, and Strasser are appealing to the European Commission to consistently implement and further develop existing safeguards. Strengthened import controls, effective residue testing, and clear regulations for agricultural imports are considered essential prerequisites for securing food security, consumer protection, and the long-term competitiveness of the domestic agricultural and food sectors – an issue that directly affects not only the meat industry but also the baking and confectionery trades.

Strasser sums it up: “The announced inspections send a clear signal. This path must now be pursued consistently. Effective controls along the entire import chain and clear regulations for all products entering the European market are needed. Equal standards for everyone are the foundation for fair competition and a strong domestic agricultural sector.”