When it comes to food origin labeling, the ÖVP has made a big announcement, but has been stalling for decades
Vienna (OTS) – During today’s National Council meeting, the referendum on food labeling was debated, which met with great approval from Austrians with almost 150,000 signatures. “I would like to thank the initiators of this referendum and all the people who signed this referendum. This broad support once again clearly shows the enormous importance of food origin labeling. Austrians want to know what they eat and also have a right to know where their food comes from. Wherever it says Austria, Austria must also be there!” said FPÖ agricultural spokesman NAbg. Peter Schmiedlechner in his contribution to the debate.
“For over fifteen years, we libertarians have repeatedly called for the introduction of labeling of the origin of food. Last year alone there were 56 applications, which, like all other applications in previous years, were always just put in a drawer by the ÖVP, the Greens and also the SPÖ. The ÖVP always announces things outside and as soon as they arrive in the National Council, they don’t give a damn about the promises they made to the citizens outside. The ‘great’ solutions that the ÖVP then presents as an alternative are not only half-hearted, but do not solve the problems. In the government program, the ÖVP and the Greens have even written down labeling of food origin. But this promise isn’t even worth the paper it’s printed on. After almost five years, the trained Austrian knows: Since taking office, this government has only been throwing sand in the citizens’ eyes and deceiving them with alibi actions in order to distract from the actual failure,” Schmielechner continued.
The food scandals of the past underline the need for labeling of food origin, said the liberal agriculture spokesman: “Thirteen years ago there was the so-called ‘dioxin scandal’, in 2010 the milk and cheese scandal from the Prolactal company, the horse meat scandal in 2013, the scandal about cheating imports Chicken meat from Ukraine in 2019, the egg scandal in Lower Austria in 2020. After each of these scandals, the ÖVP, which has been responsible for the department for decades, has repeatedly promised and announced a solution in the form of labeling, but nothing has been implemented to date.
Outside with the farmers, the ÖVP is strong in making statements, but in the People’s Party they lack assertiveness: “Apparently the eighteen Farmers’ Union members who sit for the ÖVP in the National Council are not able to assert themselves in their own party. The business association dictates that the supposed farmers’ representatives obediently submit themselves. Apparently the ÖVP farmers’ coalition already sees it and still shows some shame, because why else did none of them speak up on this agenda item? The gastro spokesman and WKO division chairman Mario Pulker also hypocritically uses the ability to implement food labeling as an excuse. The ÖVP was in the lead when it came to the allergen regulation and all other outrages that caused the bureaucracy to increase immeasurably. When it comes to a sensible measure such as food origin labeling, which only has a positive effect on consumers and farmers, the ÖVP not only remains inactive, but also puts the brakes on it.
“Since the people’s request for food labeling should only be acknowledged today and unfortunately no obligation arises from actually implementing it, we Freedom Party members are once again calling on the Federal Government to draw up a corresponding draft law to introduce comprehensive origin labeling of foods to implement. The ÖVP is also warmly invited to join us in siding with our local farmers, our consumers and the Austrians and agree to the proposal,” said Schmiedlechner in the direction of the ÖVP.
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