Drought: Totschnig also promises money for uninsured farmers

“I had this morning after the numbers came out contacted the finance minister,” said Totschnig on Monday before the start of a “round table” with experts and farmer representatives. “We are starting negotiations with the Ministry of Finance,” said Totschnig. It is clear that “we must move forward quickly”. Totschnig spoke of wanting to put a package on the table “in the next few days”.

Currently, around 80 percent of arable land in Austria, but only 40 percent of grassland areas, are insured against drought. The federal and state governments supported the premiums in 2025 with around 160 million euros (55 percent subsidy). In principle, risks that are insurable cannot come from the Disaster Relief Fund be compensated. The minister still promised money for uninsured farmers: “We need a support package for all family farms.”

Ministry of Finance criticizes ““No matter what the cost” policy

From the Finance Minister’s office Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ) it was said that “there will be no ‘no matter what it costs’ policy for good reasons”. In any case, “sustainable and long-term solutions for climate protection” are necessary. Wifo-Agricultural economist Franz Sinabell warns against undifferentiated measures to help farmers: “The aid package should be designed in such a way that the farmers who have insured themselves against drought do not look like fools.” The expansion of the feed exchanges and deferrals of investment loans are also “very helpful” measures.

The Ministry of Finance is now waiting for concrete proposals from the Ministry of Agriculture so that they can examine them, it is said. “Only support that is within the budget” is possible. Reshuffles within the responsible department are conceivable. According to Totschnig, these would not be enough. “Extraordinary measures are needed in an extraordinary situation”.

Chamber of Agriculture-President Josef Moosbrugger was outraged by the statement from the Ministry of Finance. “It’s about the existence of many farming families in Austria. This drought and dryness is an absolute emergency situation for us agricultural Companies that have probably never existed in this form before,” he wrote in a statement. “It’s not about party or clientele politics, but about the future of our country.” Also Farmers’ Association-President George Strasserdemands: “The SPÖ-led finance ministry must give up its blockade stance and create the necessary financial leeway.”

2026 brought an exceptional climatic situation for farmers

Politically, Lower Austria’s governor demanded Johanna Mikl Leitner and state vice-president Stephan Pernkopf (both ÖVP) rapid and “extraordinary” measures. The opposition reacted critically: The FPÖ accused the minister of inaction, while the SPÖ demanded an ambitious climate law and the NEOS demanded increased soil protection under the motto “Prevention before compensation”.

In terms of climate, the current situation is unprecedented: in some regions there has been over 75 percent less fall since June 15th Rain than the ten-year average (2016-2025). For comparison: Between 2017 and 2025, annual drought damage in Austria was between 30 and 230 million euros.