The Austrian Court of Audit is strongly critical of the outgoing government's lagging climate and nature policy. According to the researchers, too little is being done to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture.
The research shows that Austria is failing to meet its targets for reducing pesticide use. Despite previous commitments and plans, use remains as high as ever. The Court emphasizes that current policies are insufficient to effectively limit the ecological damage caused by pesticides.
The Court's report points to a lack of effective control over use. Although there are rules and guidelines, their implementation is inadequate. The agricultural sector still makes extensive use of chemical pesticides, possibly even unauthorized ones.
One of the biggest problems cited by the Court is the admissions process. This process is considered not stringent enough, making it easier for dangerous substances to enter the market and be used. The procedures for authorization of pesticides are not only slow, but also often flawed. This means that products that may be harmful can still be used in agriculture.
In addition, insufficient records are kept of which pesticides are used where and in what quantities. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of measures and adjust where necessary. Better monitoring and data collection are crucial to gain an accurate picture of the situation and to take targeted actions.
Several environmental organizations have embraced the Court's findings and urged immediate action. They emphasize that the current situation is not only harmful to the environment, but also to public health. There are calls for stricter regulations and a more proactive approach from the government to limit the use of pesticides. This could contribute to the recovery of biodiversity and the protection of natural habitats.
The publication of the Court of Audit's report falls in the middle of the campaign for the parliamentary elections at the end of December. The turquoise-green coalition of Christian Democrats and Greens has survived quite stable - against many expectations - over the past four years. Only in the past year have the contrasts between the two parties on nature and agriculture become more pronounced.
The Austrian government says that several initiatives have already been taken, but acknowledges that there is still much work to be done. The government promises to take the Court of Audit's recommendations seriously and to work towards a more effective and sustainable agricultural policy.