Two locations planned

Doskozil’s new plans for the “Burgenland dairy”

Burgenland is to regain an independent foothold in the dairy sector. The aim is to guarantee fixed sales opportunities and price stability for dairy farms and create new organic incentives. 

Increased animal welfare standards, the new EU organic regulation, increasing demands from dairies and climatic influences: Burgenland dairy farmers have been under considerable pressure for years. After sharp declines in previous years, the number of milk suppliers in Burgenland remained stable again for the first time last year at 76, only four of which are organic farms.

There has been no dairy in Burgenland for over 15 years. This is also a disadvantage for local organic dairy farms, which we now want to compensate for.

Landeshauptmann Hans Peter Doskozil

Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER

Sales and further processing currently in Styria and Lower Austria
Dairy farmers in Burgenland are dependent on dairies in Styria and Lower Austria for the sale or further processing of their products. The raw milk is processed there and then returns to Burgenland as milk or processed goods. However, according to the plans of Governor Hans Peter Doskozil, this is now set to change: Experts are currently working on a model for an independent organic dairy in Burgenland. "There hasn't been a dairy in Burgenland for over 15 years. This is also a disadvantage for local organic dairy farms, which we now want to compensate for. On the one hand, the creation of a state dairy should guarantee fixed sales opportunities and price stability for our producers, which will also ensure the continued existence of these organic farms in the long term," explains Doskozil.

The Burgenland dairy is also intended to encourage conventionally producing dairy farms to switch to organic.(Bild: Schulter Christian)

Encouraging conventional dairy farms to switch to organic farming
On the other hand, the aim is also to encourage conventionally producing dairy farms to switch to organic. There is also the possibility of reducing the ecological footprint by avoiding long transportation routes. "That would be a win-win situation for local agriculture and the country's organic goals," says Doskozil.

Show dairy planned: The milk is to be processed at the Güssing Agricultural College.(Bild: Huber Patrick)

Demand for state-owned and state-related kitchens
In concrete terms, the "Burgenland Dairy" will initially cover the processing of around 500,000 kilos of raw milk for use in the state's own kitchens and those close to the state. Two locations are planned for this: An organic dairy is to be built in central Burgenland in cooperation with dairy farmers, and the milk is to be further processed at the agricultural college in Güssing - with the focus on a show dairy.

Doskozil: It's about future prospects for agriculture
With his plans for the "Burgenland dairy", Doskozil also takes a swipe at the federal government. "While the federal government puts organic farmers in a much worse financial position, in Burgenland the upgrading and safeguarding of agriculture, especially organic agriculture, is an important goal. Our aim is to give agriculture prospects for the future and also to convey the necessary appreciation."