The Economic Council is one of the central bodies of the Federal Research and Training Center for Forests (BFW), as enshrined in the BFW Act.
It represents the interests of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate Protection, Environment, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK), the Ministry of Finance, and employees and acts as a supervisory and consultative body to ensure the responsible, transparent, efficient and sustainable management of the research center.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Economic Council shall perform the duties incumbent upon it in accordance with the BFW Act (§ 19 BFW Act), the Federal Public Corporate Governance Code as amended, and its rules of procedure. These include in particular
- Requesting and reviewing reports on the business situation, financial position, earnings and net assets,
- Inspection of books, documents, and assets, and, if necessary, engagement of experts for more detailed examination.
- Auditing and reporting on annual financial statements and management reports,
- Convening meetings, passing resolutions (including by circular resolution), appointing committees,
- Obligation to report to the federal minister if it is in the best interests of the BFW.
The Economic Council shall also advise the management of the research center on fundamental matters and monitor compliance with the principles of legality, economic efficiency, expediency and thrift in business decisions, the business development of the research center, risk management and the implementation of the Economic Council’s decisions.
Composition and operating principle
The Economic Council consists of six members. Three of these are appointed by the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions, and Water Management, one member is appointed by the Federal Minister of Finance, and two members are delegated by employee representative bodies. They are appointed for a term of five years, with the possibility of reappointment.
The Economic Council currently consists of the following members:
Ing. Lambert Weißenbacher
DI Dr. Johannes Schima als Vorsitzender
Mag.a Ilse Hohenegger
DI Michael Luidold
Mag.a Barbara Christandl-Reithmayer
Ing. Josef Schmette-Krch