No organic certificate

The farmers from Apetlon fear for their cattle

The cattle have created a unique meadow vegetation.

(Bild: Charlotte Titz)

Because a farmer from Hallein has been awarded the contract for grazing in the Lange Lacke National Park area, the locals' animals have to stay in the barn. What to do with them?

As is the case every year, the cattle that "manage" the pastures on the Lange Lacke over the summer are driven outside on May 1st. Only this year, none of the animals will be from an Apetlon farmer. This is because the local landowning community has sold a share to a Salzburg company from Hallein, which has been commissioned by the general assembly to graze the land - exclusively.

"The last two local cattle farmers, who have spent generations tending this cultural jewel, have to leave their Fleckvieh cattle in the barn," says Christopher Kroiss, who would have liked to have acquired this share himself. "Allegedly, we didn't meet the criteria." Kroiss is also annoyed that the Apetlon agricultural community is said to have withheld money in the past.

Previously 15 farms, this year one
To explain: when the national park was founded in 1993, the Urbarial leased the land to the province of Burgenland and guaranteed its management. In return, there is an annual financial payment from the province, which is intended to benefit the farmers. "The money was not used for a specific purpose," says Kroiss, "most of us hung up our hats because we could no longer afford to invest." In the past, 15 farms from Apetlon with 500 cattle were involved in grazing the hut pastures, where a unique meadow vegetation has developed that serves as a breeding and nesting site for thousands of birds. "Last year there were only two with less than 100 animals, this year it is the colleague from Hallein alone."

Kroiss' flock numbers 150 birds. What to do? "I could feed my cattle in the barn all year round, which is absurd. Or sell them all. Or have them all slaughtered."

Grazing with a certificate possible
Urbarial chairman Eric Lang softens the blow: "We decided last year to convert the pastures to organic. Everyone knew that! If the locals bring the certificate, they can also graze their cattle."