Pests It should also be possible to combat the Asian hornet in forests
The spreading Asian hornet is to be combated more effectively. According to the Federal Council, the cantons should be able to issue exceptional permits for the use of biocides in forests under certain conditions.
26.03.2025, 12:20
SDA
On Wednesday, the responsible Federal Department of the Environment (Uvek) submitted a corresponding amendment to the ordinance for a shortened consultation period until May 8, as was reported in a press release. In order to slow down the rapid spread of the Asian hornet in Switzerland, it should be possible to control the nests in forests with biocides from fall 2025.
The Asian hornet is an invasive alien species that eats native honey bees and wild bees. The foundation nests built by the queen in spring are usually located in urban areas, where they can be controlled with approved biocides, as the Uvek wrote.
The larger secondary nests, which can contain thousands of hornets, are mainly found in the treetops of forests. By relaxing the Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance, the federal government is aiming to slow down the spread of the Asian hornet in the coming year.
Clear conditions
Control with biocides in forests should only be possible if no mechanical or physical control methods can be used, as stated in the explanatory report on the consultation process. The possibility of exceptional permits for the use of plant protection products to control particularly dangerous harmful organisms for plants and for research was not included in the draft.
The amendment to the ordinance was triggered by a motion by Peter Hegglin (center/ZG), a member of the Council of States, which was passed by Parliament. It called for the necessary legal basis to be adapted in order to be able to combat invasive alien organisms, namely the Asian hornet and the cherry vinegar fly, throughout Switzerland. The Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) has prepared an ordinance to combat the cherry vinegar fly with beneficial insects.
According to the Uvek, further use of biocidal products in forests could soon be necessary to combat African swine fever. This disease affects domestic and wild pigs and is approaching the Swiss border.
