Federal Council launches agricultural consultation 2030

Context

In brief

• Federal Council launches consultation on agricultural policy 2030+ (PA30+)
• Budget allocated: CHF 13.808 billion for 2030-2033
• Consultation open until December 8, 2026
• 4 areas: margin of maneuver, markets, production bases, sustainability of the chain

Key facts

• What: Consultation on agricultural policy 2030+ to increase food security
• When: September 2, 2026 – December 8, 2026 (consultation deadline)
• Where: Switzerland (federal consultation with cantons, associations, citizens)
• Who: Federal Council
• Amount: CHF 13.808 billion for 2030-2033
• Implementation: Starting from 2030
• Objective: To increase food security, expand farmers' margin of maneuver, strengthen value creation

Federal press release of September 2, 2026

Bern, September 2, 2026 — The Federal Council has officially launched the consultation on agricultural policy starting from 2030, named PA30+, with the declared objective of strengthening Switzerland's food security. The consultation remains open until December 8, 2026 and welcomes contributions from farmers, sector organizations, cantonal administrations, and citizens.

With this structural reform, the federal executive intends to expand the entrepreneurial margin of maneuver for Swiss farmers, strengthen added value creation and the efficiency of natural resources. At the same time, the government assigns greater responsibilities to the entire agri-food chain — from the food processing sectors, retail trade, to consumers — to ensure an ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable food system.

Financial dimension of PA30+

The Federal Council has proposed to Parliament the spending limits for agriculture for the years 2030–2033 amounting to CHF 13.808 billion. This amount is lower by CHF 123 million compared to the financial allocation provided for the years 2026–2029, but exceeds by CHF 80 million the amount that would be maintained by keeping the 2030 financial plan in nominal terms. Parliament will still have to approve these spending limits in the next phase.

The four strategic areas of PA30+

The Federal Council proposes specific measures articulated on four strategic axes. First, to expand the margin of maneuver and reduce administrative expenditure: currently, direct payments for ecology and animal welfare are strictly tied to the respect of specific prescriptions. PA30+ aims to reorient them towards the achievement of concrete results, giving farmers greater managerial freedom. The digitization of the entire chain will further reduce the administrative burden through a new legal basis that ensures simple and secure data exchange.

Operational details

How PA30+ transforms the relationship between farmers, markets, and consumers

The reform introduces a paradigm shift that involves all levels of the Swiss food chain, from agricultural enterprises to the consumer's table.

Supporting markets and improving economic position

The second area of PA30+ aims to strengthen market observation and extend solidarity measures among operators to support agricultural enterprises in the valorization of their products. Additional financial support is explicitly provided for the dairy and vegetable crops sectors intended for direct human consumption. These measures directly contribute to improving the economic situation of farmers and strengthening their contractual position vis-à-vis distributors.

For those in the agricultural and food processing sectors, this means less market price volatility and better negotiation capacity with large distributors. For Swiss consumers, it translates into greater availability of quality local products, with direct implications for the national cost of living.

Investment in production bases and sustainable technologies

The third strategic axis addresses the structural foundations of Swiss food security: crop protection, promotion of beneficial insects and organisms, support for sustainable technologies, training, and specialized technical advice. These measures also support agricultural enterprises in adapting to climate change, a factor increasingly critical for the stability of Swiss food production.

Compared to the previous phase (2026-2029), the emphasis on resource efficiency and innovative technologies represents an important qualitative leap. It is no longer just about regulatory compliance but a structural modernization strategy for the Swiss primary sector, as desired by the Federal Council.

Involvement of the supply chain and collective responsibility

The fourth area promotes sustainability throughout the agro-food value chain. Agreements on objectives between the Federal Council and the retail trade are planned, accompanied by initiatives to raise consumer awareness of a balanced diet based on quality Swiss products. PA30+ recognizes that food security is not the sole responsibility of farmers but must be shared by the entire supply chain, from processing to trade, to final consumers. For those working in the Swiss agro-food sector, consult the job opportunities in the food sector.

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Key points

How to participate in the public consultation

The public consultation on PA30+ remains open until December 8, 2026. Interested parties — agricultural associations, food industry organizations, trade unions, cantonal administrations, municipalities, environmental organizations, and individual citizens — can submit their contributions to the Federal Council.

Contributions must reach the federal administration by the deadline of December 8, 2026. No specific format is required; however, contributions must clearly state the position of the submitter and the reasons supporting it. The received observations will be analyzed by the Federal Council for possible adjustments before the final presentation to the Federal Parliament.

Deadlines and next steps

December 8, 2026: Final deadline for submitting contributions to the public consultation on PA30+.

After the consultation phase closes, the Federal Council will examine the feedback received from farmers, cantons, industry organizations, and citizens, preparing a revised version of the complete package of measures accompanied by a summary of the consultation results. This version will then be transmitted to Parliament for final approval. The exact timeline for the parliamentary discussion has not yet been set in the federal announcement; however, the operational implementation of PA30+ is scheduled to begin in 2030.

What to expect in the coming months

Until December, Swiss agricultural associations, food industry organizations, and public and private stakeholders will analyze the PA30+ project in detail. Agricultural businesses will have the opportunity to assess the concrete impact of the new margin of maneuver on their operational management and administrative flows. Consumers will better understand the expected role of PA30+ in the Swiss food system and the collective responsibilities required.

Once the consultation closes on December 8, the Federal Council will transmit the complete dossier to Parliament for approval and possible parliamentary discussion. Swiss farmers, food industry workers, and consumers will thus be involved in one of the most important federal decision-making processes for national food security in the 2030-2040 decade.

To monitor the developments of Swiss agricultural policy and understand the impact on the cost of living and the availability of local products, you can use our calculator. Stay updated on job opportunities in the Swiss agricultural and food sector.

Source: admin.ch