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When the marriage ends, the problems really begin for many farmers. Research shows that fighting divorces is significantly more common among farmers than among the rest of the population. The reason for this is that there is much more to it than just sharing a bed. After all, farms are often family businesses, where the farm often belongs to the farmer and the partner – usually his wife – often works without a fixed wage.
This is fatal for women in the event of a divorce. They lose their farm, have no income and no social security.
Financial compensation for women farmers
The latter should no longer be the case in the future. From 2027, farmers will only receive direct payments if the woman (or of course the man) is socially insured. However, that is not enough for Parliament. In 2021, the National Council and the Council of States accepted a proposal from the then BDP calling for adequate financial compensation for farmers in case of divorce.
The question now is how specifically this should be arranged. The agricultural sector has drawn up a proposal: If a farmer wants to invest in farming and applies for state support, joint consultation for the farming couple on commodity regulation should be mandatory in the future. Or the farmer can prove that he pays his partner wages. It would also be possible that both conditions would become mandatory.
SVP thinks it is unnecessary
The industry’s proposal is very controversial, it now appears. The Conference of Cantonal Directors of Agriculture rejects it completely. From their point of view, it is the responsibility of every farming couple to prepare for divorce. They don’t think anything more than awareness campaigns are necessary.
Many cantons also express criticism. And especially the SVP, which is so close to the farmers, is stabbing the farmers in the back. “The proposed regulations increase the density of regulations and weaken the farmers’ own initiative,” the party explains its negative position. From the start she was against better protection for peasant women in the event of divorce.
The majority of the FDP will probably also oppose the proposal, but did not take a position during the consultation. Center and left parties are now campaigning for greater protection for women farmers. If support does not suddenly crumble, the centre-left in parliament is likely to triumph over the right-wing camp.
Topboer hopes for a solution
Anne Challandes (55), president of the Swiss Association of Farmers and Rural Women, hopes so. The proposed solution is “a way to quickly and easily realize a concrete improvement,” says the farmer and lawyer. Your association, together with other agricultural organizations, launched a campaign two years ago to make farmers, advisors and managers aware of the issue of social security. But that alone is not enough.
Experience shows that mandatory requirements are sometimes necessary, says Challandes. This means extra work for the government. But the top farmer is convinced that it is worth it for everyone involved.
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.
