Voluntary Report – Voluntary - Public Distribution

Date: June 02, 2021
Report Number: AU2021-0001

Report Name: Austrian Parliament Adopts Partial Ban on Glyphosate
Country: Austria
Post: Vienna
Report Category: Agricultural Situation, Agriculture in the Economy, National Plan, Policy andProgram Announcements, Agriculture in the News, Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety

Prepared By: Roswitha Krautgartner

Approved By: Kimberly Sawatzki

Report Highlights:
After two unsuccessful attempts within the past two years to totally ban glyphosate, the Austrian
parliament voted unanimously on a partial ban of glyphosate. This amendment of the Austrian pesticide
law bans the use of glyphosate on so-called “sensitive” areas and for private use. Professional use ofglyphosate including most applications in agriculture remains allowed. Unlike its earlier efforts to fully
ban the substance, Austria does not anticipate any objections from the EU Commission to this partialban.

THIS REPORT CONTAINS ASSESSMENTS OF COMMODITY AND TRADE ISSUES MADE BY USDA STAFF
AND NOT NECESSARILY STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT POLICY

Austrian Parliament Adopts Partial Ban on Glyphosate on “Sensitive Areas” and for Private Use
After two unsuccessful attempts within the past two years to totally ban glyphosate, the Austrian
parliament voted unanimously on a partial ban of glyphosate on May 20, 2021. This amendment of theAustrian pesticide law bans the use of glyphosate on “sensitive” areas, which include publicly accessible
areas like playgrounds, and parks, and areas designated for vulnerable groups of people like healthinstitutes and retirement communities. In addition to the restricted areas, the law prohibits the use inhome and community gardens and the private/non-professional use. The ban adopted a couple of years
ago for pre-harvest treatment including desiccation for food and feed use remains in place. However,professional use of glyphosate including the application in agriculture continues to be allowed.
All Parties of the Austrian Parliament Voted Unanimously for the Partial Glyphosate Ban
The motion to partially ban the use of glyphosate was introduced by the two government parties, theAustrian Peoples’ Party (ÖVP) and its junior partner, the Greens. After discussion and a vote for thepartial ban in the Agriculture Committee, all parties of the Austrian Parliament voted unanimously forthe amendment of the Austrian pesticide law. The Social Democrats (SPÖ) however still demanded afull ban of glyphosate which Austria already unsuccessfully tried to introduce earlier. The motion of theSPÖ to fully ban the substance did not receive the necessary majority of the votes. The ÖVP and theGreens stressed on the upcoming re-assessment of glyphosate on the EU-level. The current EUapproval expires on December 15, 2022. The use of glyphosate has been a polarizing issue in Austriawith many interest groups and opposition parties such as the SPÖ and the right-populist Freedom Party(FPÖ) favoring a complete ban. The governing ÖVP has always been against a total glyphosate ban tonot offend its farmer voters. The coalition junior partner, the Greens – in accordance with their green
agenda - also would favor a total ban but currently do not push for it to not counteract their government
partner.
Austrian Farmers Relieved About the Partial Ban
Austrian farmers are relieved that they still can use glyphosate as a highly effective herbicide inagriculture. In case of a total ban, farmer representatives expressed concerns about losing
competitiveness on the agricultural market. Josef Moosbrugger, President of the Chamber ofAgriculture Austria, stated, "This partial ban, in accordance with EU law, eliminates the risk ofparticularly sensitive applications, for example on publicly accessible areas. At the same time, it ensuresthat agriculture continues to have a suitable instrument at hand. That approach takes into account thesecurity needs of the population as well as the necessities for soil-conserving agriculture.”
Austria does not Expect Objections from the EU Commission
Austria took the detailed opinion of the EU Commission opposing its earlier draft law to totally ban
glyphosate into account. Austria now adopted a law which is expected to be within EU law where
member states are allowed to restrict or ban the use of pesticides on specific areas. For this reason,
Austria does not anticipate any objections from the EU Commission to this law.
For further reports on the Austrian glyphosate ban please search the FAS/USDA Gain database:https://gain.fas.usda.gov/

THIS REPORT CONTAINS ASSESSMENTS OF COMMODITY AND TRADE ISSUES MADE BY USDA STAFF
AND NOT NECESSARILY STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT POLICYAttachments:No Attachments.