Hopes high for new Austrian farm links

A VISIT by 40 influential Austrian farm leaders to North Clare this week could result in increased trade links between the two areas.

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Association is bringing “heavy hitters” from Austria’s farming sector to Clare as part of a five-day visit to the region.
“We have organised a group of Austrian organic farmers to visit Ireland this week. Austria is the EU leader in organic farming as 15% of the land is farmed organically compared to 1.5% of land in Ireland. Austria is the second richest economy in the EU and agriculture is a key component of their economy so there is merit in Ireland learning from these guys. We’ve decided to bring the group of 40 Austrians, some are very big hitters in Austrian farming groups, to see if we can learn anything from them and also to establish possible trade links between Irish goods and Austria,” said Cratloe-man and general secretary of the ICSA, Eddie Punch.
“The Austrian economy is the second wealthiest in the EU. Agriculture and food production are big parts of that. There is a hell of a lot to learn from them. There is an opportunity here for farmers in Ireland so that if they can be more productive organically there is almost instant money to be made. There is wider money for the economy too,” he went on.
The Austrian group will visit two of North Clare’s best-known businesses, the Burren Smokehouse and St Tóla’s.
“The group are visiting these two businesses to see if there is any trade links that can be made between Ireland and Austria. They are keen on co-ops and they are interested in building links with Clare and the West of Ireland. I mean they would not have the same fresh water fish in Austria that we would have here and the Burren Smokehouse is one of the reasons they have chosen Clare,” Mr Punch explained.
Trips of this type and magnitude are most unusual for the ICSA, Mr Punch stated, adding that he believed it would be very beneficial for Irish farmers and food producers.