The Austrian Policy Report (Work Package 2) gave a first overview about the legal framework and possible hindering and facilitating factors related to Alternative Agro-Food Networks in Austria. Analysed fields were 1st and 2nd pillar of the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as well as Hygiene Regulations, Trading Laws, regulations and policies related to GM free feeding, branding and heirloom varieties.

The next step (Work Package 3) was to select two Case Studies. The Austrian case studies deal with different forms of direct sale via consumer-producer networks, collective consumer initiatives and on farm sale, and with cooperation between farmers and commercial enterprises based on non-conventional relationships. We have been choosing to investigate strategies closer to the “classical” notion of “alternative”, and others, which are more atypical AAFNs.

Case study I is focussing on different forms of direct sale, and is represented by two different modes:
Ia: consumer-producer cooperation & collective consumer initiatives
Ib: cooperative farmer’s initiative

Case study II describes two initiatives of special farmers-business-co-operations.

About 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted with farmers, business partners, farmers’ consultants, and members from the Chamber of Agriculture. Additional material and information was gathered: marketing folders, press releases, other documents and publications, personal correspondence with stakeholders and members of the initiatives. The interviews and additional material gave an insight into the factors which facilitate or hinder the development of the investigated initiatives. Especially relevant for the Austrian case studies were Regional Development Policies and since Austria’s access to the European Union the LEADER program. Due to the long existence of several investigated initiatives, not only the actual situation but also the initiative’s development as well as changes in funding schemes and periods (e.g. LEADER II, LEADER+, LEADER 07-13) can be observed. [descriptions of case studies]

In February 2009 a Focus Group Discussion was conducted: “Producer-Consumer Networks: new/old forms of selfgoverned and solidary consumption”. The focus group was based on case study Ia: consumer-producer cooperation & collective consumer initiatives. On one hand, these forms of Alternative Agro-Food Networks are currently not popular in Austria (compared with e.g. the AMAP ‘movement’ in France). On the other hand there are several old examples of such networks in Austria. Since the late 1970ies the initiatives went through multiple changes, which can be characterised as different forms of ‘professionalization’. The Focus Group Discussion was based on questions about the future perspectives of producer-consumer networks in Austria, taking into account the network’s internal/organisational structures as well as the external structures, such as the growing share of supermarkets providing organic food. The Focus Group Discussion had another positive outcome: it served as networking event for groups yet not in contact with each other and – to a certain extend – it allowed to formulate the appreciation for these long standing initiatives. [summarised results of the focus group discussion]

For May 2009 a Scenario Analysis Workshop is organised (Work Package 4): “Trendsetting direct sale”. The scenario analysis workshop is based on case studies Ib and II. Along three different development directions scenarios for future direct sale will be elaborated. The workshop invites farmers, regional managers, consultants, members of the Chamber of Agriculture, business partners and consumer organisations to pool their expertise and experiences in existing projects. The aim is to identify the driving forces, key factors and the success factors within the different scenarios as a basis for future planning and decision making.