The last structural survey of agricultural businesses in Austria was carried out in 1995. The extensive collection of farm data as part of this project provides information about the status quo of agricultural businesses in Austria. These results enable a better assessment of in which areas and in what form there is a need for action, especially before the end of the transition periods.

The animal protection measure is planned for the first time in the "Rural Development" program in the funding period 2007 - 2013. Viewed in the international context, it represents an important addition to the previous measures in order to take the "from stable to table" approach into account in an appropriate manner. The package of measures presented is focused exclusively on providing access to space and pasture for ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats), which has already achieved good success in other European countries (RAUS program in Switzerland). Experiences from the federal states that were included in the program from the start should provide more detailed information through the evaluation of this measure. In order to describe the trend of further development, it is necessary to analyze existing data sources such as land use surveys in more detail. Based on a survey in the practice (operation manager), motives for participating or not participating in the animal protection measure are evaluated. Qualitative aspects regarding the design or adaptation of the measures are given particular consideration in the survey.