Organic wild collection in Austria at the nexus between production, nature conservation and tourism

Organic wild collection is regulated by Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and is an indispensable economic pillar in many regions around the world. Yet, there is currently no monitoring of the distribution and relevance of organic wild collection in Austria. This is problematic, because related opportunities along the value chains are not adequately exploited and challenges not adequately addressed. In this project, we aim to raise awareness of organic wild collection in Austria and highlight its potential. Our specific objectives are i) to map the status quo of organic wild collection in Austria, ii) to understand the challenges and success factors of organic wild collection and possible synergies with measures for agricultural extensification, renaturation, nature conservation and tourism, and iii) to identify local visions and possible transformation pathways for organic wild collection. The project is divided into three stages. In the first stage, in order to map the status quo of organic wild collection in Austria, data from organic control and certification bodies are analysed and these findings are supplemented by telephone interviews with approximately 80 randomly selected producers of organic wild collection products. In the second stage, the challenges and success factors of approximately 15 national and international pioneer producers in organic wild collection are analysed and potential synergies between wild collection, nature conservation and tourism identified. In the third stage, Delphi surveys and workshops are held in three high-potential regions with representatives of interest groups, authorities and civil society in order to test the transferability of the potential identified in the second project stage. This project is new in all aspects, as it is the first time in Austria that organic wild collection is examined in terms of its development, synergies and potential in a comprehensive and up-to-date manner.