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The Swiss Pursuit of Environmental Sustainability in Farming

Author

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  • Anina Gilgen
  • Stefan Mann

Abstract

Switzerland introduced results‐based payment schemes for farmers at an early stage, specifically in the area of biodiversity. When an ecological focus area (e.g. extensive meadow) reaches a certain level of plant species diversity, it receives more monetary reimbursements. However, most subsidies in Switzerland are still paid out based on specific measures. This paper provides an overview of innovative elements of Swiss agricultural policy that contain, in addition to results‐based biodiversity payments, payments for ecological networks and for landscape amenities. Pilot projects in which various results‐based payments are currently being tested are also presented. However, a fundamental change to the Swiss direct payment system and agricultural policy in general seems difficult to achieve. For example, in recent years Swiss voters have rejected several political initiatives that aimed to achieve a more environmentally friendly agricultural policy. La Suisse a introduit très tôt des systèmes de paiement au résultat pour les agriculteurs, notamment dans le domaine de la biodiversité. Lorsqu’une zone écologique prioritaire (par exemple, une prairie extensive) atteint un certain niveau de diversité d’espèces végétales, elle reçoit des compensations financières plus importantes. Cependant, la plupart des subventions en Suisse sont encore versées dans le cadre de mesures gouvernementales spécifiques. Cet article présente un aperçu des éléments novateurs de la politique agricole suisse qui comprennent, outre les paiements au résultat pour la biodiversité, des paiements pour les réseaux écologiques et pour les aménités paysagères. Des projets pilotes dans lesquels différents paiements au résultat sont actuellement testés sont également présentés. Cependant, une réforme en profondeur du système suisse de paiements directs et de la politique agricole en général semble difficile à mettre en œuvre. Ces dernières années par exemple, les électeurs suisses ont rejeté plusieurs initiatives publiques visant à instaurer une politique agricole plus respectueuse de l’environnement. Die Schweiz hat schon früh ergebnisorientierte Zahlungen in der Landwirtschaft eingeführt, insbesondere im Bereich der Biodiversität. Wenn ein ökologischer Schwerpunktbereich (z. B. eine extensive Wiese) eine bestimmte Pflanzenartenvielfalt erreicht, erhält der Betrieb eine höhere finanzielle Förderung. Die meisten Subventionen in der Schweiz werden jedoch nach wie vor auf der Grundlage spezifischer Maßnahmen ausgezahlt. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über innovative Elemente der Schweizer Agrarpolitik, die neben ergebnisorientierten Zahlungen für Biodiversität auch Zahlungen für ökologische Netzwerke und für Landschaftsqualitäten umfassen. Außerdem werden Pilotprojekte vorgestellt, in denen derzeit verschiedene ergebnisorientierte Zahlungen getestet werden. Eine grundlegende Änderung des Schweizer Direktzahlungssystems und der Agrarpolitik im Allgemeinen scheint jedoch schwer zu erreichen zu sein. So haben die Schweizer in den letzten Jahren mehrere politische Initiativen abgelehnt, die auf eine umweltfreundlichere Agrarpolitik abzielten.

Suggested Citation

  • Anina Gilgen & Stefan Mann, 2025. "The Swiss Pursuit of Environmental Sustainability in Farming," EuroChoices, The Agricultural Economics Society, vol. 24(3), pages 35-40, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:eurcho:v:24:y:2025:i:3:p:35-40
    DOI: 10.1111/1746-692x.70008
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    1. Uwe Latacz‐Lohmann & Nicolas Lampkin & Christine Krämer & Frank Offerman & Norbert Röder, 2025. "Assessing Alternative Options for a More Sustainability‐focused CAP," EuroChoices, The Agricultural Economics Society, vol. 24(3), pages 60-67, December.

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