Agriculture 2030: increased room for manoeuvre

Context

In brief

• Federal Council opens consultation on PA30+ until December 8
• 13.8 billion CHF allocated for 2030-2033
• 4 areas of intervention on ecology, markets, crops, consumers
• Greater autonomy for farmers, responsibility of the supply chain

Key facts

• What: Agricultural Policy Reform with 4 areas of intervention
• When: Consultation until December 8, implementation from 2030
• Where: All of Switzerland, federal decision
• Who: Federal Council, farmers, supply chain actors, consumers
• Amount: 13.8 billion CHF for 2030-2033
• Reduction: -123 million vs 2026-2029
• Increase: +80 million vs 2030 financial plan
• Focus: Food security, sustainability, animal welfare

The Federal Council has officially opened the consultation on the Agricultural Policy from 2030 (PA30+), with a deadline set for December 8. The reform revolves around a central objective: to expand the margin of maneuver for farmers to strengthen Switzerland's food security. This is a rewrite of the rules that will affect the entire agri-food chain, from producers to consumers.

The Executive emphasizes that it is not just the responsibility of farmers. PA30+ actively involves other actors in the agri-food chain and consumers themselves, who will have to take on greater responsibilities to ensure a sustainable food system from an ecological, economic, and social point of view. This rethinking of competencies represents an important novelty compared to previous policies.

The four areas of intervention

The reform develops along four strategic axes.

The first area concerns direct payments on ecology and animal welfare. The Federal Council revolutionizes the mechanism of contributions, orienting them towards concrete results rather than strict compliance with regulatory prescriptions. Digitalization plays a crucial role in reducing the administrative burden throughout the chain. A new legal basis will support these changes.

The second area focuses on market functioning. The Executive intends to strengthen market observation and extend solidarity measures. Additional support is planned for the dairy sector and for vegetable crops intended for human consumption—two pillars of Swiss production.

The third area concerns crop protection. Here the focus is on measures that promote beneficial insects and organisms, the use of sustainable technologies, and the strengthening of training and advice to farmers. A relevant aspect concerns the adaptation of farms to climate change, a theme increasingly urgent for the economic viability of crops.

The fourth area involves retail trade and consumers. The Government wants to promote sustainability through agreements on objectives with traders and greater awareness of Swiss products.

The federal budget: 13.8 billion CHF

The Federal Council has submitted to Parliament the spending limits for agriculture in the period 2030-2033: 13.8 billion francs. The amount is lower by 123 million compared to the period 2026-2029, but higher by 80 million compared to the 2030 financial plan. In other words, the reform involves a compression compared to the current cycle, but still represents an increase compared to the initial forecasts for the decade.

Until December 8, the consultation remains open to public entities, agricultural organizations, consumer associations, and all interested parties.

Operational details

What changes in practice? Several fundamental aspects.

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Key points

How to participate in the consultation

If you represent an agricultural organization, a consumer association, a municipality, a canton, or a public entity, you have a say. The Federal Council has opened the consultation process until December 8, 2026. This is not a formality: the inputs from the consultation can influence the final text of the reform before it goes to Parliament.

The participation methods are published on the federal websites (Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, DEFR). Interested organizations and citizens can submit written contributions by the deadline.

Next steps: from Parliament to implementation

After the consultation, the Federal Council will collect the feedback and draft the final parliamentary message. Parliament—National Council and Council of States—will have to approve the reform. If the process proceeds as planned, PA30+ could come into force around 2030-2031, with a transition phase from the 2026-2029 regime.

During this transition, farmers will receive official communications about new deadlines and obligations. The reform will also impact employment in the agricultural sector, with new skills required and possible professional opportunities in sustainable consulting. It is advisable to stay informed through official channels: canton websites (which implement a large part of federal agricultural policy), sector organizations (Swiss Farmers' Union, etc.), and federal portals.

Those managing a farm or are stakeholders in the food chain should delve into the details of the proposal on www.admin.ch and the dedicated pages of the DEFR. Many cantons have advisory offices for the agricultural sector: contact them to understand how PA30+ might affect your local reality.

Planning the financial impact of the reform

If you are a farmer, consider calculating the impact of PA30+ on your farm's budget during this consultation period. Understanding how direct payments and administrative obligations will change is essential for planning investments and operational strategies. Evaluate the opportunities of the reform early on and prepare for the new balances of the Swiss food chain.

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Source: rsi.ch