Avenir Suisse economist criticizes protests in Switzerland: “Most farmers are doing a great job”

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“Protest leaders paint a picture of poor farming families. But this is only part of the truth,” Dümmler told Tamedia newspapers. Total income per farm reached over 111,000 francs in 2021, the highest level ever. “Farmers have done very well in the last ten or fifteen years. “Now I’m wondering exactly why they’re protesting.”

The farmers’ lobby is hiding the fact that as farms die, fewer and fewer people receive subsidies. This means there is more left over per farm. Dümmler said incomes have increased by an average of one-third since 2015, five times more than for non-farm households.

Farmers are confused

The agronomist saw parallels with the vote on the 13th AHV pension. The left pointed out retirees who were actually not so well off, and did not mention that the majority of retirees had never been as well off as they are today.

But farmers are uneasy because they do not know what will happen next in agricultural policy, Dümmler explained. They wanted to avoid financial cuts and maintain structures. Dummler expected politicians to reform “bureaucratic and protectionist” agricultural policy to allow for more market economies and innovation. He welcomed the Federal Council’s austerity plans and saw the potential, for example, in environmentally harmful subsidies.

Hundreds of farmers in Switzerland have driven tractors to numerous locations in recent weeks and protested for better working conditions. The rallies were preceded by demonstrations by farmers in other European countries. (SDA)

Source :Blick