Switzerland - EU Farmers' association sees improvement in EU treaty package
The Swiss Farmers' Union supports the bilateral approach, but has not yet taken a definitive position on the new EU treaties. In view of the dynamic adoption of legislation and the imprecise domestic implementation, it is calling for better involvement of the sector.
22.10.2025, 15:14
22.10.2025, 15:50
SDA
The consequences of the food safety agreement are likely to depend not least on domestic implementation, the Swiss Farmers' Association (SBV) pointed out in a press release. For example, the rules of the new breeding methods would be left open, it wrote in its statement published on Wednesday.
The farmers' association also referred to the "high regulatory pressure from the EU", which could be restrictive for agriculture in the future. Switzerland should continue to be able to take measures with its own agricultural policy, it said.
Bilateral path "without alternative"
However, the SBC believes that there is "no alternative" to the bilateral approach for a stable relationship with the EU, according to the statement. In addition, the present package of agreements is an improvement on the previous framework agreement.
In particular, the association considers the stabilization of the agricultural agreement to be positive - especially as it is not subject to dynamic legal adoption. It also highlights the planned cooperation in research and education as positive.
Nevertheless, the SBC does not want to take a final position until the parliamentary debate has been concluded. However, it is clear to the association that it is in favor of a referendum with a majority of the cantons "for constitutional and democratic reasons".
Companies against
IG Bauern Unternehmen had already taken a clearly negative stance. The interest group rejects the treaty package as it endangers Swiss agriculture. Criticisms include the dynamic adoption of legislation, the restriction of Switzerland's autonomy and additional "suffocating" bureaucracy and controls. The organization also fears a loss of quality and higher costs.
