Measures to Maintain Land Developed and Cultivated by Man

Austria's cultivated land is to a large extent the result of agriculture. But as agriculture retreats from marginal areas the appearance of the landscape undergoes changes which are not appreciated by society. Agriculture is in a precarious position especially in mountainous areas, in regions along eastern border with strong outmigration, and near agglomerations. Viticulture in steep slopes is also in jeopardy. In view of huge agricultural surpluses, measures to support the price and to promote productivity in these regions cannot be considered suitable; the federal government, the provinces, and the communes, therefore, try to aid farmers by paying premiums. These can be considered as compensation for tending the land, even though these payments are based only to a small extent on services rendered. Premiums paid by the federal government and the provinces totalled almost AS 1.5 billion in 1992. This amount accounts for barely 4 percent of income from agriculture and forestry, but in some provinces they constitute a significant part of income (Vorarlberg 17 percent, Tirol 12 percent).