Sweden and Austria exhibit similarities in their agricultural and political landscapes, particularly in their high demand for organic products and pioneering efforts in animal protection. Sweden enforces strict animal welfare standards, including bans on certain practices for pigs and mandatory grazing for cattle. However, the agriculture sector faces challenges, such as a decline in pig industry self-sufficiency since joining the EU, significant structural changes in dairy farming, and a decrease in the organic sector across all livestock categories as of 2023. Additionally, the article notes a significant 11 percent decrease in animal numbers in Sweden and highlights that half of all food consumed in the country is now imported, with Germany being a major beneficiary despite sometimes lower production standards. The BauernZeitung plans to explore agricultural struggles in other EU countries in upcoming weeks.