Control Cost Subsidy for Organic Farms

The control cost subsidy is a direct funding measure of the state of Vorarlberg in the field of Agriculture & Rural Development. Since 2017, this initiative has supported enterprises engaged in primary agricultural production managed according to organic farming standards by partially covering the costs of statutory inspections. Fees for audits conducted by an accredited organic control body are reimbursed, thereby financially relieving organic producers and strengthening compliance with ecological standards. The measure is designed as a non-repayable grant and is based on an annual budget of approximately 0.08 million euros. The legal basis is provided by the guideline for granting a subsidy for control costs for organic farms as well as the Agricultural and Forestry Act. The funding is processed within the framework of the generally applicable state funding guidelines and is unlimited in duration: applications can be submitted at any time, ensuring continuous planning security.

All expenses directly related to inspections by an accredited organic control body are eligible for funding. A prerequisite is the management of a farm according to organic farming standards and the conclusion of a corresponding control contract. Submissions are possible both digitally via the regional funding portal and in paper form; a copy of the control contract must be attached to the application. After submission, a technical review takes place, and the subsidy is paid directly to the control body in a tiered manner based on proof of control costs. This straightforward procedure is especially recommended for organic farms that want to minimize their administrative efforts and invest in transparent quality assurance in the long term. The unlimited funding framework allows participants to respond flexibly to operational needs and to secure their ecological production methods permanently.