Food sovereignty and Ticino milk: the risk of dismantling the supply chain
The Communist Party highlights the risk of dismantling the milk supply chain in Ticino, with historic low prices and imports from other cantons. Parliamentary question to the Council of State.
Contesto
In brief - The price of milk has reached historic lows. - The Ticino dairy industry is under pressure. - There is a fear of dismantling local production. ## Key facts - What: Parliamentary inquiry into the dairy sector in Ticino. - When: Filed on April 21. - Where: Canton Ticino. - Who: Communist Party, with signatories Lea Ferrari and Massimiliano Ay. - Amount: Risk of closure of many alpine agricultural businesses. The Communist Party has submitted an inquiry to the Ticino State Council highlighting the crisis in the local dairy industry. The concern arises from the fact that the price of milk has reached historically low levels, worsening an already critical situation for the agricultural businesses in the valleys. At the heart of the issue is the defense of food sovereignty enshrined in the Constitution and voted on in 2021, which appears threatened by market dynamics and agricultural policies. The main concern revolves around the transport and processing of milk. The inquiry focuses on several critical issues, including the fact that part of the milk produced in Ticino is transported to inland Switzerland for processing, while Ticino receives milk and products from other cantons. The signatories ask how the State Council intends to keep the processing of local milk in Ticino, avoiding it being transported to the Canton of Lucerne or imported from abroad. The concern is that this dynamic could lead to the dismantling of the local supply chain, with retirements and lack of succession further reducing the number of active businesses. The text also evokes a historical precedent, recalling European agricultural policies and the risk of production dependence, which weaken peripheral economies and local production. The deputies also ask about the state of public suppo...
Dettagli operativi
Practical Implications and Scenarios For Ticino's cross-border workers and agricultural companies, the milk crisis represents a turning point. If milk prices remain at historic lows, many agricultural companies could be forced to close, leading to a reduction in local production and an increase in imports from abroad. The current dynamic creates a contradiction between the principle of food sovereignty and market practices, which favor the transport of milk already processed in other Swiss regions. A possible scenario is a natural reduction in agricultural companies, caused by retirements and lack of succession, which would lead to a progressive dismantling of the supply chain. In this context, imports of milk and dairy products from abroad would increase, with risks of production dependence, as also highlighted by the historical reference to European agricultural policies. For cross-border workers, this situation could result in an increase in transportation costs and further complications in work procedures. The logistics of milk transport, already under pressure, could become more costly, with repercussions on the final costs of products. The interrogation suggests that strengthening local production and more decisive support for transport in Ticino could mitigate these critical issues. The creation of a dairy in Valle di Blenio represents an example of a concrete intervention aimed at promoting the local economy, reducing imports, and promoting food sovereignty, which in the European context and also in Switzerland is assuming an increasingly central role in food security policies. ## Useful tools to protect your net income To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.
Punti chiave
Concrete actions for cross-border workers and companies For addressing this crisis, cross-border workers and agricultural companies must know the procedures and deadlines to protect local production and access public support. First of all, it is essential to monitor the developments of agricultural policies and transport support, which could be updated during 2025 and 2026. For those who wish to support the local supply chain, you can start by verifying the current volume of milk produced in Ticino and comparing it with the quantities of milk processed and imported. It is possible to consult the data on the volumes of non-Ticino milk processed in Ticino over the last ten years, in order to plan purchasing and production strategies. An important step is to participate in interprofessional initiatives, such as the one recently created, and support projects for new dairies, such as the one in Valle di Blenio. These tools allow strengthening local production and processing. For cross-border workers, it is important to know the procedures for accessing G permits and tax benefits, such as the new 2026 tax agreement, and to use tools such as the salary calculator and guides on permits and taxation. Collaboration between administrations and the private sector will be crucial to develop shared solutions. Finally, it is advisable to regularly consult the online guides and tools available on the website to stay updated on benefits and support. Protecting the Ticino dairy supply chain requires a joint effort between the public and private sectors, with attention to deadlines and funding opportunities, to ensure food sovereignty and the sustainability of the sector. Source: ticinonews.ch
Punti chiave
[{"q":"What is the main reason behind the dairy crisis in Ticino?","a":"The price of milk has fallen to historic lows, worsening the situation for local farms and leading to risks of closure and dismantling of the entire supply chain."},{"q":"How does the milk transportation dynamic between Ticino and other cantons impact the situation?","a":"Some of the milk produced in Ticino is transported to other parts of Switzerland for processing, while milk and dairy products from other cantons are brought into Ticino, contradicting the principle of food sovereignty."},{"q":"What concrete initiatives are being proposed to strengthen local production?","a":"The creation of a new dairy in Valle di Blenio and public support for milk transportation are measures suggested to preserve and reinforce the local supply chain."}]
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main reason behind the dairy crisis in Ticino?
- The price of milk has fallen to historic lows, worsening the situation for local farms and leading to risks of closure and dismantling of the entire supply chain.
- How does the milk transportation dynamic between Ticino and other cantons impact the situation?
- Some of the milk produced in Ticino is transported to other parts of Switzerland for processing, while milk and dairy products from other cantons are brought into Ticino, contradicting the principle of food sovereignty.
- What concrete initiatives are being proposed to strengthen local production?
- The creation of a new dairy in Valle di Blenio and public support for milk transportation are measures suggested to preserve and reinforce the local supply chain.