Citizens’ council against farmers’ association

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Nobody can ignore the Boerenbond – this was proven once again in the spring session: all motions of the SP, Greens and Green Liberals for a more environmentally friendly agricultural policy did not make it.

The parliamentarians of the biocamp are very frustrated, especially because they are convinced that the population wants a reorientation of agricultural policy. GLP chairman Jürg Grossen (53) refers to the so-called citizens’ council.
The committee, consisting of 80 members chosen at random from the resident population, spent months in 2022 discussing what a sustainable Swiss food policy should look like. The idea behind it: involving the consumer in the debate.

The project was launched by three environmental groups and was funded, among others, by federal funds and carried out by Collaboratio helvetica, a non-profit organization. The recommendations of the Citizens’ Council were fully in line with the spirit of the Environmental Alliance.

The participants pleaded for less fertilizer imports, less livestock or promotion of the cultivation of sustainable products. However, there is usually a problem with such wish catalogs when it comes to implementation. If, for example, the decrease in the number of animals leads to more meat imports, this will yield little in terms of sustainability.

Do not take action against farmers

Nevertheless, GLP boss Grossen sees the recommendations as proof that parliament is politicizing agricultural policy beyond the population: “So far we have only heard from the farmers’ representatives in parliament what they do not want. Now we have concrete proposals from the middle of the society for a sustainable agricultural policy.”

The Bernese Oberlander, together with representatives of the FDP, Centrum, SP and Groenen, has therefore submitted several interpellations to find out from the Federal Council how the results of the Citizens’ Council will be incorporated into future agricultural policy. “We want to make sure that the recommendations of the council and science are not brushed aside,” says Grossen.

The action is not aimed at farmers, Grossen emphasizes. “Together with the farmers, we want to achieve a reorientation of agricultural policy that makes the entire value chain responsible.”

This is exactly what the Federal Council has set as its goal: future food policy must include all stakeholders, from farmers to processors and from trade to consumers – and become more ecological. The government wants to promote animal-friendly production and sustainable consumption, among other things.

Farmer’s Union agrees

The farmers’ association also endorses this objective. Yet President Markus Ritter (55) does not believe in the actions of the Green Liberals and their allies. According to Ritter, the citizens’ council has no legitimacy whatsoever: “Apart from parliament and the various support groups of the federal government, no other body is needed. And certainly not the financing of such a project with tax money.”

The report of the citizens’ council has been noted, says the center member of the National Council and organic farmer. “It’s extremely wide, we couldn’t get much out of it.” For political progress, on the other hand, Ritter has only a tired smile left. The same organizations as the Citizens’ Council are behind it, he says. “They probably want to keep doing this to make more money.”

Clear words from the head of the farmers’ association. If Grossen is serious about working with the farmers, they will probably have to take a big step in his direction – and he will have to extend his hand considerably further.

Source:Blick