The food initiative was submitted today; it is about the degree of self-sufficiency and the focus on plant-based foods

Even though I think that self-sufficiency is important and right, I can already see the pitchforks and torches of the farmers’ lobby on the horizon. What do you think, does this initiative have a real chance?

The food initiative is in favour of a safe and sustainable food supply in Switzerland. It calls for increased production and consumption of plant-based foods in order to reduce dependence on imports and achieve a self-sufficiency level of 70 %. (Today it’s around 52%) The initiative emphasises the protection of biodiversity, soil fertility and clean drinking water. It criticises the excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides, which endangers both the environment and agricultural yields.

The transition period is 10 years. Necessary adjustments to agricultural production are to be organised in a socially responsible manner for farmers and financially supported by the federal government.

https://www.ernaehrungsinitiative.ch/

https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/ernaehrungsinitiative-franziska-herren-will-erneut-die-landwirtschaft-umkrempeln

https://www.schweizerbauer.ch/politik-wirtschaft/agrarpolitik/ernaehrungsinitiative-genuegend-unterschriften