Farmers’ Association calls on the EU Agriculture Commissioner for the EPP and a change of culture
St.Pölten (OTS) – The Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association celebrated its traditional farmers’ day and invited people to a political ceremony. With 1,200 farmers who turned the Wieselburg trade fair marquee into a real folk festival on Saturday, the Farmers’ Association once again showed why it is perceived as the strong muscle in the People’s Party. The focus of the political speeches was the EU elections on June 9th.
Alexander Bernhuber, top candidate of the Lower Austria People’s Party, the Farmers’ Association and the JVP, thanked those present for the great support over the past few days to loud applause from those present. In addition to the desire for more security of supply in Europe and more common sense in Brussels, he made a clear political demand: “The next Agriculture Commissioner must come from the EPP. Everyone talks about farm work, but most people have never set foot in a stable in their lives or know what it means to work 365 days a year for the food of all of us. The Commission needs to be open to farmers’ concerns so that the big mistakes and ideological castles in the air from this period are not repeated again!”
Turn the People’s Party into a successful party
The keynote speaker was Farmers’ Association Chairman LHStv. Stephan Pernkopf, who emphasized: “It seems to me that some people are afraid of economic production. This is nothing other than fear of the future. We need more economy and less paperwork again. We need progress through technology instead of decline through ideology and more faith in the future!” And further: “Our country is not the country of screamers and complainers. Let’s make our country the land of the smartest and best! Let’s not talk about what we are against, but what we stand for: for performance & property, for family & security, for hard work & decency. Then the People’s Party will become a successful party again!”
Who if not the farmers’ association?
Federal Minister Klaudia Tanner and State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner also emphasized the great importance of the farming representation and the farmers’ association. In her speech, Tanner energetically pointed out what it means to stand up for the farmers’ association and the farming community: “Who, if not us, will ensure that there is a sustainable and generational policy in Austria? It’s in our blood, it’s what we grew up with and we pass on these values. So who should it be other than ourselves who will get the ÖVP back on the road to success?”
“My thanks go to the members and officials of the Farmers’ Association. We can rely on them during election campaigns. But they are all there for us every day when we need them as a community – in the stable, in the field and in voluntary work. “We will therefore work together consistently to protect rural areas and resolutely defend ourselves against new burdens and taxes,” said State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner in her interview on the stage of the Farmers’ Day.
Farmers’ Association sets an impressive conclusion
The Farmers’ Union has made remarkable efforts in this election campaign. Around 100 events were successfully held in all districts of Lower Austria. Over 1,000 banners were hung throughout Lower Austria, with at least one in every municipality. The largest election campaign was incorporated into farmland in a field near Vienna-Schwechat Airport. Numerous other actions were carried out by members, supporters and farming families across the country to make the farmers’ association’s election campaign an impressive success.
Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association director Paul Nemecek backs up the success with facts: “We put together the biggest event and put the biggest election advertising on the ground. At the same time, with over 500,000 home visits throughout Austria for Alexander Bernhuber, we were closer than ever to the citizens. We are the only political organization that goes door to door, seeks direct contact and listens. However, that does not mean that we underestimate the digital space. During the intensive campaign period from March, we were able to achieve 9 million visual contacts across Austria on the profiles of Alexander Bernhuber and those of the Farmers’ Association, with a focus on agriculture and rural areas.”
Questions & Contact:
Benjamin Lorenzer
Press spokesman
Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association
Ferstlergasse 4
3100 St. Pölten
Tel.: 02742/9020-2340
Mobil: 0664/839 74 29
Email: lorenzer@noebauernbund.at