Food: Legal certainty established for crisis situations
The Federal Government is creating a modern legal framework with the Food Management Act to ensure the supply of food even in times of crisis. After its unanimous adoption in the National Council, the constitutional majority for the amendment of the Food Management Act has now also been achieved in the Federal Council.
Totschnig: Federal Council Unanimously Approves Food Management Act
Legal certainty established for crisis situations
The Federal Council has today unanimously approved the amendment to the Food Management Act. Following its unanimous adoption in the National Council, the constitutional majority for the amendment has now also been achieved in the Federal Council.
With the Food Managment Act, the Federal Government is creating a modern legal framework to ensure the supply of food even in times of crisis.
Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig: “With today’s decision in the Federal Council, we have achieved the necessary constitutional majority to establish a better legal framework for crisis situations. The past years have shown that the supply of food to the population is not something to be taken for granted. That is why we are vigorously advancing precautionary measures to strengthen national resilience.”
Steering measures also possible through state governors
The Food Management Act has served since 1997 as the legal basis for government steering measures when market mechanisms are insufficient to ensure food supply in a crisis.
In such situations, the responsible Minister of Agriculture can issue corresponding measures by decree. If only individual federal states or regions are affected, these measures can also be implemented by the respective state governors.
Recent blackout events in Europe, such as last year on the Iberian Peninsula, have clearly demonstrated the importance of a functioning food supply security system.
The now unanimously approved amendment modernizes the law and extends its validity until the end of 2035.
Key improvements at a glance
With the Federal Council decision, the following measures are particularly implemented:
- Expanded precautionary options: For the first time, possibilities for strategic food reserves.
- Greater legal clarity: Clarified and supplemented regulations for steering measures and compensation for affected economic participants.
- Better use of data: Existing data can be used for analyses and studies to make more evidence-based decisions.
- Improved information structures: Early and reliable communication to better prepare businesses and the public for possible measures in crisis situations.