Organic companies can buy 20% conventional fodder (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• The Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) has relaxed the rules for organic farms.
• Organic farms will be able to buy up to 20% of conventional fodder.
• The regulation comes into force with immediate effect.

Key facts

• What: The Federal Office of Agriculture has relaxed the rules for organic farms.
• When: The standard comes into force with immediate effect.
• Where: The Federal Office of Agriculture.
• Who: The Federal Office of Agriculture.
• Amount: Up to 20%.

The widespread drought recorded thissummer caused significant crop losses with regard to fodder, such as grass, hay or silage, the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) said today in a statement. This situation poses many companies dedicated to organic farming with great challenges. The FOAG then resorted to a derogation provided for by the Organic Farming Ordinance.

Specifically, by 2026 organic farms will be able to cover up to 20% of the total needs of their animals with non-organic fodder. This maximum amount refers to the dry substance. Within this limit, according to the directive, grazing on land managed according to conventional methods is also allowed.

The derogation was made possible by the Organic Farming Ordinance, dated 1 January 2020, which provides for the possibility of derogations in the event of serious economic or environmental difficulties. The standard will come into force with

Operational details

Organic farms will be able to buy up to 20% of conventional fodder, but only for the year 2026. This means that companies will be able to cover up to 20% of the total needs of their animals with non-organic fodder. This maximum amount refers to the dry substance. Within this limit, according to the directive, grazing on land managed according to conventional methods is also allowed.

The directive of the Federal Office of Agriculture has entered into force and applies for the whole of 2026. This change has been welcomed by organic farms, who will now be able to better manage their fodder stocks and reduce production costs.

A concrete example of how this new rule will work is provided by the organic farm "Biofutura" in Losone (TI). The company, which produces milk and cow meat, will be able to buy up to 20 tons of conventional fodder to cover 20% of its animals' needs. This means that the company will be able to reduce its organic fodder stocks by 20 tonnes, saving around 40,000 Swiss francs per year.

According to the directive, organic farms will have to comply with the following requirements:

• Purchase only conventional fodder that meets the quality requirements set by the Federal Office for Agriculture
• Keep documents related to the purchase of conventional fodder for at least 3 years
• Computerize the data relating to the purchase and the

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Key points

Organic farms must check the rules of the Federal Office of Agriculture for the purchase of conventional fodder. Companies will be able to purchase up to 20% of conventional fodder for the year 2026. It is important to note that the directive only applies for the entire 2026.

The legislation in question was approved by the Federal Office of Agriculture in June 2023. The directive provides that organic farms can buy up to 20% of conventional fodder, but only if this fodder is produced by certified farms that comply with the standards of the Federal Office of Agriculture.

For example, an organic farm located in the Bern region could buy up to 10 tons of conventional fodder, if this is produced by a certified farm that complies with the standards of the Federal Office of Agriculture.

The directive also requires organic farms to provide a detailed account of their purchase of conventional fodder. This statement must include the quantities of fodder purchased, the price paid and the source of the fodder.

To check if your farm complies with the rules of the Federal Office of Agriculture, you can consult the tax calculator on the website of the Federal Office of Agriculture. In addition, you can request additional information from the Federal Office of Agriculture.

Here is a checklist for organic farms looking to buy fodder

Source: swissinfo.ch