Imported meat on the menu

A visit to the ministry canteen causes a stomach ache

According to a notice in one of the Ministry of Agriculture's canteens, only a small proportion of the meat on offer comes from Austria. How important is it to Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) that our farmers can also sell their products domestically?(Bild: APA Georg Hochmuth)

A local inspection by the "Krone" in the ministry brings it to light: anyone who believes that Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) gives priority to local products in his in-house canteens is very much mistaken. A stab in the heart for our farmers.

The "Krone" reaches farmer Maria Radler while she is working in the barn. Together with her husband, she puts her heart and soul into running a farm in the Mühlviertel. Like all farmers in Austria, she depends on people buying her produce. Maria does everything she can to keep her farm "enkelfit" and feed her family. The fact that nine farms across Austria close the doors to her farm every day shows how difficult it is to survive as a farmer in the international price war.

Goosebumps on the phone
When asked by "Krone" what thoughts go through her head when some of the food for the ministry canteens is bought abroad, Maria struggles for words: "It gives me goosebumps when even the Minister of Agriculture lets us farmers down. Who is supposed to believe in and value our products then?"

Farmer Maria is part of the "No origin, no future" initiative. She stands by her values: "If we learn to appreciate origin again, then we will give our agriculture, our regions and our farming families a real future."(Bild: privat)

(Bild: privat, Krone KREATIV)

Only 30% of meat is regional
Since September 2023, the origin of meat, milk and eggs must be declared in state canteens. In itself, this is a good step towards food transparency. However, anyone hoping that the federal government would prefer to serve its employees products "Made in Austria" will be bitterly disappointed.

The minister wants to ban veggie sausages, but serves imported meat himself. That is double standards on a silver platter. He could strengthen domestic farmers. It's scandalous that he doesn't take advantage of this.

Indra Kley-Schöneich, GF Foodwatch

Bild: Foodwatch

This is causing a stir
The government's procurement plan states that food should be sourced as regionally as possible. Whether the canteen operators have to adhere to this depends on the contracts that have been in place for some time. But isn't it also the responsibility of the Minister of Agriculture, as the highest representative of our farmers, to ensure improvements in procurement through renegotiations on their behalf? Not even a third of the meat in the canteen on the Stubenbastei comes from Austria.

But the ministerial deceptive packaging does not only apply to animal products. Styrian pumpkin seed oil is one of the culinary specialties with cult status. Even Emperor Franz Joseph is said to have had the "green gold of Styria" delivered to the Hofburg. Minister Totschnig has a different approach and does not attach any importance to local value creation.

The "Krone" took a look around the salad buffet on the Stubenring. Without question - good pumpkin seed oil has its price. But does it have to be the cheapest product?(Bild: privat)

Unfortunately, there is no indication of the origin of the oil on the label. Our research revealed that the exact country it comes from is not disclosed, but it is definitely not Austria.(Bild: privat )

Until recently, not even from the EU
Because what is on offer at the salad buffet in the canteen on the Stubenring must be a slap in the face for every Styrian pumpkin farmer. Unfortunately, our research revealed that the seeds for this only come "from the EU". And yet this madness must almost be seen as progress when you consider that the pumpkin seed oil on offer at the buffet did not even have this origin until recently. In any case, the Steirerbua continues to look through his fingers.

Things are no better for the calf farmers and egg producers in the kitchen at Haus am Ring. Austria accounts for 43 percent of the veal on the menu and fresh eggs are bought in from EU barns. In return, Totschnig sounded the alarm in a press release a few days ago: "Pork is gradually disappearing from the menus in Viennese schools, this must not happen," it read. The minister also appealed: "Meat belongs to Austria - also in schools and canteens."

In the canteen on Stubenbastei, the origin labeling of animal products is displayed opposite the food counter. It is shocking that Austria only accounts for 30 percent of meat.(Bild: Privat/Krone KREATIV)

(Bild: privat)

The politician is quite right about that. But what do our local farmers, who are struggling to survive, gain if meat is then imported cheaply from abroad? The fact that there are more and more organic farmers in Austria is of no importance to the canteen operators. Because organic products are not offered in the canteens of the Ministry of Agriculture visited by the "Krone". It seems almost provocative that only the words "Eggs - sometimes organic" can be read on a notice board.

A ministry that preaches homeland and serves import. This is a bitter deception and our farmers are the ones who suffer.

„Krone“-Kommentar

Maggie Entenfellner: Blabla mit Beilage

It would be a scandal if I wore a fur coat. Regardless of whether I wore it on the sly or said that it came from my grandmother. It would look bad and my credibility when it comes to animal welfare would be rightly lost forever. No more excuses will help. Anyone who stands up for something in public, takes a loud stance and fights for an issue should back this up with action.

A minister who constantly talks about regionality, sustainability and the importance of our farmers, but at the same time tolerates the opposite in his own canteens, is as credible as a fur coat with an animal welfare seal. (Even if he didn't negotiate the contracts himself).

"Krone" animal corner manager Maggie Entenfellner doesn't mince her words when it comes to backing our farmers.(Bild: Holl Reinhard)

It is a mockery for all farmers in Austria who work hard every day to deliver the best quality. Who fear for their livelihood and have to read that there is hardly any local food on the menu in the canteens of the Ministry of Agriculture. It has a bitter aftertaste that Totschnig allows imported meat to be served, but fights in Brussels to ensure that plant-based products are no longer allowed to be called schnitzel or sausages.

Does he really understand the wishes and concerns of our farmers? He should make sure that Austrian products end up on the plates of his employees. Otherwise the talk about regionality and appreciation will be nothing more than blah blah blah: Blah blah blah with a side dish.