Controversy over new organic regulations angers farmers: “This silence is a joke”

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Farmer Franz-Sepp Widmer (60) from Steinhof SO has already marked out the field. In the future, he will no longer be allowed to cultivate 3.5 percent of his field – almost one hectare – but will have to leave this to bees, ladybugs and other animals.

The new requirement, which is intended to promote biodiversity, will apply from January 1, 2024. This is what farmers have adopted so far – and prepared accordingly. But now there is suddenly uncertainty again.

Federal councilor Parmelin warned

Last Thursday, the Council of States decided to postpone the introduction of the controversial new regulation, which is part of the package of measures to reduce pesticides, for another year. He agreed with a corresponding proposal from St. Gallen councilor Esther Friedli (46, SVP). The federal government actually wanted it to come into effect at the beginning of 2023, but implementation was postponed due to the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Now it could be put on the back burner. The condition is that the National Council also agrees to the postponement.

Franz-Sepp Widmer is annoyed. “This Hüst and Hott is a joke,” says the man from Solothurn. The farmer would prefer that the new organic land requirement on open arable land would never arise. But he has adapted to it. The cantonal agricultural offices have distributed brochures, courses have been given and many farmers have already started sowing on the new organic plots.

Minister of Agriculture Guy Parmelin (63) appealed to the Council of States that it would “almost be contrary to good faith” to wait another year for implementation – to no avail.

“The story is unfortunate”

Markus Ritter (56) also sowed almost everything. The centrist national councilor and chairman of the Swiss farmers’ association can understand his professional colleagues who curse the back and forth between politicians and the authorities. “The whole story is unfortunate.”

Still, from his point of view, postponement is the best solution. Ritter points out that the Bio Suisse association is also pushing for this – and that is why individual Greens in the Council of States also voted for the postponement. The organic farmers, like the farmers’ association, do not question the new regulation in general, but criticize its specific implementation. The opinion is that the Federal Bureau of Agriculture urgently needs to review its books.

But what does that mean for farmers like Franz-Sepp Widmer? Should he stop sowing barley on the strip of land he has demarcated and instead sow wild flowers? Chairman of the Farmers’ Union Markus Ritter advises farmers to prepare for the new rule despite the uncertainty. The National Council will not make a final decision until December at the earliest.

Moreover: Even if the 3.5 percent requirement comes later, farmers will already receive direct payments for the organic land.

Source:Blick