“Envy debate” or justified criticism?

It demands an audit of the agricultural subsidies by the Court of Auditors. Statistics Austria reported significantly higher net corporate profits in this area in 2022. The AK suspects a possible overfunding with taxpayers’ money. The Chamber of Agriculture (LKÖ), on the other hand, speaks of a “lousy envy debate”.

“These profit increases were achieved despite higher energy and fertilizer costs. Enormously increased agricultural prices and additional subsidies made this possible. This could be due to over-subsidization of taxpayers’ money, as the Court of Auditors had already determined for the corona funds,” said the AK agricultural policy expert Maria Burgstaller. The increase in income is a “short-term breather,” said Chamber of Agriculture President Josef Moosbrugger, and a much more difficult situation is emerging for 2023.