Bern opens consultation on new agricultural policy from 2030

The Federal Council has opened consultation on the Agricultural Policy from 2030, known as AP30+, which will run until 8 December. The stated goal is to widen farmers' room for manoeuvre in order to strengthen the country's food security. The reform also involves the rest of the food supply chain and consumers, who are called on to take greater responsibility for the sustainability of the food system.

Four areas of action, from direct payments to the market

The reform is structured around four areas. The first concerns direct payments for ecology and animal welfare: contributions will be linked to actual results rather than strict compliance with detailed rules. The government is pairing this shift with digitalisation, aimed at reducing the administrative burden along the supply chain. A new legal basis will be needed, however.

The second area concerns the proper functioning of markets: more market monitoring and expanded solidarity measures, with additional support for the dairy sector and for crops grown for human consumption. The third focuses on crop protection, promoting beneficial insects, sustainable technologies and more training, along with help for farms adapting to climate change. The fourth involves retail and consumers, through target agreements with retailers and campaigns promoting Swiss products.

On the financial side, the Federal Council will ask Parliament for a spending ceiling of 13.8 billion francs for the 2030-2033 period. The amount is 123 million francs lower than in the previous four years, but 80 million francs higher than what the financial plan for 2030 had projected.

It remains to be seen whether the shift to results-based payments will actually cut red tape, or whether the new legal basis and the target agreements with retailers end up adding another layer of regulation. The additional support for the dairy sector and for crops will also need to be judged on its impact on competition and on costs for taxpayers.