Law presented

New rules for Lake Neusiedl National Park

The Lake Neusiedl-Seewinkel National Park has been in existence for 30 years. The legal regulations are now being amended. Among other things, there will be a general ban on hunting and fishing in the nature zone.

One of the reasons for this was a Court of Audit report. The new National Park Act was presented by Deputy Minister Astrid Eisenkopf, Club Chairman Roland Fürst and Member of Parliament Erwin Preiner (all SPÖ). One of the most important changes: A general ban on hunting and fishing in the nature zone. "This is a major milestone for nature and species conservation," says Eisenkopf. However, game and fish stocks will continue to be regulated in order to prevent overpopulation. The composition of the board will also be changed: In future, four of the seven members will be appointed by the state and three by the federal government.

There are also plans for more flexibility in terms of expansion. "In future, the areas will no longer be included in the law, but can be expanded in a separate ordinance," explains Preiner. The National Park Forum will also be upgraded. In future, all affected municipalities, NGOs and Burgenland Tourism will be represented on it.

90 percent of government program fulfilled
"After the Chamber of Agriculture Act, we also presented the new National Park Act within a few days," says club leader Fürst. The government program is being worked through consistently and 90 percent of it has already been fulfilled.