Field Trip to Brussels

From 6-8 March 2024, the FPÖ Political Academy organised a field trip for agriculture spokespersons and representatives of the Freiheitliche Bauernschaft Österreich (the FPÖ organisation representing farmers), which was also attended by the agricultural spokesperson and chairman of the FB, Peter Schmiedlechner who is also a Member of the National Council. On the trip, members of the group were able to visit the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU, where they gained insights into the workings of these European institutions and in direct dialogue with EU officials obtained up-to-date information about EU agricultural policy and EU agricultural law as they pertain to support measures, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the European Green Deal including the “Farm to Fork Strategy“ and other requirements for farmers.

On the day of arrival an intensive exchange of views took place with the member of the Identity and Democracy group MEP Harald Vilimsky, the FPÖ lead candidate for the elections to the European Parliament in 2024, the Austrian MEP Mag. Roman Haider and MEP Tom Vandendriessche, MA, from the Belgian Vlaams Belang party, after these MEPs had addressed the group in the European Parliament.

On the second day, the former Austrian Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, the Environment and Water Management Dipl. Ing. Andrä Rupprechter who is now Director of the Directorate-General for Agriculture received the group when they visited the Council of the European Union. He explained the history of the development of the EU, the Council of the European Union and CAP and made himself available to answer questions. In the afternoon, during a visit to the European Commission and the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development discussions focused on reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). At the Directorate-General for the Environment the negative impact of large carnivores such as wolves and bears on (Austrian) agriculture was discussed.

On the third and final day of the field trip, the group went to the Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU where the tasks and activities of the liaison offices were explained in detail by DI Mirjam Linninger, Attaché for Agriculture, GAP, SAL and BML. The Head of the Lower Austria Brussels Liaison Office, Mag. Victor VAUGOIN also gave an in-depth account of the work performed by such regional offices.

This FBI field trip offered participants the opportunity to learn about the EU institutions that are responsible for shaping, implementing, monitoring and evaluating policy in the field of agriculture – which is closely linked to the food sector – and to familiarise themselves with the opinions and arguments of the experts working there.