Seite Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP A Portrait of Swiss agriculture, the Swiss Farmer‘s Union and our acitivities

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Structure of the Swiss Farmers’ Union ~ 58’000 farmer families 25 cantonal farmer's associations, 60 umbrella and technical organisations  Assembly of delegates (500 members) aims, principals, members contributions Chamber of agriculture (100 members) four times a year official applications, supervision of the management, elections Board (21 members) monthly daily business Technical commissions Production, environment, livestock farming, information, communication, social policy Conferences Secretaries of the cantonal organisations, heads of the technical organisations, Farming Members of Parliaments Swiss Farmers‘ Union (SFU) Office

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Aims of the Swiss Farmers’ Union (SFU) Political conditions which ensure: Productive, multifunctional agriculture Fair producer prices An income for farmers comparable with that of other sectors of the economy Long-term planning security Maintain the typical familiy runned farm Balanced and transparent market for agricultural products Good education for young farmers Positive public image of Swiss farmers

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Tasks of the Swiss Farmers’ Union Political representation and optimisation of the framework conditions for agriculture Dealing with market and price issues affecting the sector as a whole Public relations Marketing (promotion and advertising) Development and organisation of farming Education Services for farming families Maintaining contacts with market partners

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP 4-Point Action Plan Agricultural Policy Markets Communication –Public relations –Marketing: image campaign Services –Education –Trust and valuations –Insurance advice –Agrisano health insurance scheme –Architect's office –Agroimpuls employment agency –Pension foundation / retirement arragements –QM general and for Swiss meat Representation of Interests and Lobbying

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Significance of Swiss agriculture today

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Land use in Switzerland Total: 41‘285 km2 =4‘128‘453 ha Forest Rocks, ice, water, marsh, peat bogs Utilised agricultural area Alpine pastures Population, habitats

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Utilised agricultural area Total: 1‘069‘770 ha 27% 11% 59% 1.3% 0.7% Art. grass land Open arable land Other agricultural area Fruits Vineyards Meadows Cereals Silage maize Potatoes Sugar beet Fodder beet Vegetables Rapeseed Sunflowers Soy Fruits an Berries Others

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Animal production Meat Milk (total 1.1 million tons) Eggs Honey Milk usage Fresh milk Cheese Yogurt Other Cream Milk powder Butter

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Self-sufficiency levels in Switzerland Wheat (flour)50% Potatoes and potato byproducts82% Vegetables51% Fruit38% Meat79% Eggs47% Milk and milk byproducts100% Oil and fats41% Total58%

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Price developments Producer prices Consumer prices

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Government expenses in Switzerland Total: CHF 49 Billion

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Multifunctionality of agriculture Federal Constitution Art. 104 The Confederation ensures that agriculture, through sustainable and market-oriented production, makes a key contribution to: a)Securing supplies to the population; b)Conserving natural resources and maintaining the cultural landscape; c)Ensuring decentralised settlement of the entire country. The Confederation implements measures in such a way that agriculture can fulfil its multifunctional tasks. Its competences and tasks are as follows: a)It supplements farmers’ incomes through direct payments in order to ensure an appropriate remuneration for the services rendered, providing that the farmer has met the ecological requirements.

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Ecologic efficiency statement Direct payments are linked to ecologic conditions that fall under the term of „ecologic efficiency statement": –Animals kept under animal-friendly conditions –Equitable use of fertilisers –Suitable share of ecologic compensation areas (3.5 % to 7% of total farmland) –Regular crop rotation –Suitable soil protection –Choice and targeted use of plant protection products –Protection against erosion

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Results of the new agricultural policy Today 98% of farmland is cultivated according to ecologic criteria (ecologic efficiency statement/organic) More than 110,000 hectares or almost 11% of farmland pursuant to the directives concerning organic cultivation Almost 116,000 hectares or more than 11% of farmland are ecological compensation areas The use of pesticides has decreased by 35% since the commencement of the agrarian reform The use of mineral fertilizers has decreased substantially (nitrogen: –24%, phosphorus: –68%, potash: –57%).

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Quality strategy of Swiss agriculture Quality strategy supported by the Federal state, producer organizations, retailers and other agents Wide definition of „quality“ –Quality of the product –Quality of the production process (eg. animal welfare, protection of the environment, social conditions of workers) Consumers are interested in both dimensions of quality! Declaration of provenance is important: SWISSNESS

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Product quality & food safety Food safety is a precondition for market access Product quality –largely also a precondition for market access –Some features are used to differentiate between products The main distinctive criterion is quality of the production process

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Production within Switzerland Strict laws and regulations (environment, animal protection, buildings, workers, etc.) Small-structure family runned farms Topographical restrictions (few large and flat farm areas) Climatic restrictions (not every area and crop can be cultivated) High costs lead to higher production prices  Import duties hinder the flooding of domestic markets with foreign food products

Schweizerischer Bauernverband Union Suisse des Paysans Unione Svizzera dei Contadini © SBV/USP Future challenges Lower costs despite higher cost environment and high expectations Competitive despite legal regulations and restrictions Maintain compensation for farm work despite strict cost savings program of the government Conquer new, interesting markets abroad despite significant competition Land use planning  Secure farm income and with it, the long-term survival of farming

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