Regional Chambers of Agriculture
According to law, members of the regional agricultural chambers are:
Owners of property used for agriculture and/or forestry
Dependent on agriculture or forestry for their livelihood
Family members involved in agriculture or forestry on a full-time basis
Agricultural or forestry businesses or cooperatives
Executive staff of the aforementioned enterprises
Members are represented at the regional level in local farmers' committees and district farmers' chambers (Bezirksbauernkammern), as well as in committees, working groups, advisory boards and professional organizations of the respective regional chamber of agriculture. They have the right to use various services of the chambers free of charge, particularly in terms of consultation.
Representation of Members' Interests The chamber is obliged to represent their interests. All chamber members have the right to vote in free, secret-ballot elections in their chamber. Five-year terms are typical for the regionally-elected plenary assembly and for most federal regions elected at the district level.
The Plenary Assembly
The highest body of each agriculture chamber is the plenary assembly. Depending on the region, each consists of between 19 and 36 members chosen in accordance with a electoral list system. The groups standing for election include primarily political parties or their sub-organizations.
The plenary assembly in turn, elects the President, the vice-president as well as specialized committees, and determines the size of chamber contributions. Also, the agricultural cooperatives are represented in the plenary assembly.
Services Available to Members
Chambers are managed by the executive and have specialized departments which assist in decision-making, interest articulation, consultation and subsidization alongside other services for members.
Members are represented at the regional level in local farmers' committees and district farmers' chambers (Bezirksbauernkammern), as well as in committees, working groups, advisory boards and professional organizations of the respective regional chamber of agriculture. They have the right to use various services of the chambers free of charge, particularly in terms of consultation.
Representation of Members' Interests The chamber is obliged to represent their interests. All chamber members have the right to vote in free, secret-ballot elections in their chamber. Five-year terms are typical for the regionally-elected plenary assembly and for most federal regions elected at the district level.
The Plenary Assembly
The highest body of each agriculture chamber is the plenary assembly. Depending on the region, each consists of between 19 and 36 members chosen in accordance with a electoral list system. The groups standing for election include primarily political parties or their sub-organizations.
The plenary assembly in turn, elects the President, the vice-president as well as specialized committees, and determines the size of chamber contributions. Also, the agricultural cooperatives are represented in the plenary assembly.
Services Available to Members
Chambers are managed by the executive and have specialized departments which assist in decision-making, interest articulation, consultation and subsidization alongside other services for members.