class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 fmXrkB”>
The farmers’ representatives remain a phenomenon in parliament. Even though they only play a minor role outside the Federal Palace, everything in the political field goes to their tune. And so the National Council took its decision by 121 votes to 64, with one abstention. Compared to the Federal Council’s proposal, Parliament’s decision represents an increase in funding of 54.8 million francs.
A minority of the National Council’s Finance Committee unsuccessfully demanded that the state government follow suit. This means that the transversal reduction of 2 percent decided by the Federal Council would also have been applied to direct payments in all areas. “It is understandable that the symmetry of sacrifice should also influence agriculture*,” says SP national councilor Claudia Friedl (63).
A compromise proposal from the ranks of the Greens, which provided for an increase of 27.4 million francs and therefore a reduction of 1 percent, did not find a majority in the council.
More and more subsidies are meant to save others
Cuts to direct payments have a direct impact on the wages of farming families, says SVP representative Lars Guggisberg (46). “Farming families in mountain areas are hit hardest,” warned chairman of the farmers’ association Markus Ritter (56).
Like the Council of States, the National Council also voted in favor of further additional expenditure in the field of agriculture. This includes promoting the sale of Swiss wine, protecting herds and promoting sugar beet production. In total, the additional expenditure, excluding direct payments, amounts to 17.2 million francs.
The National Council, on the other hand, was more reserved than the small chamber when it came to regional policy. Unlike the Council of States, he does not want a new payment of 25 million francs into the corresponding fund this year. (SDA)
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
