Drought 2026: 70 million for forests and agriculture (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• 70+ million francs from the Federal Council against drought and heat
• 17.5 million for forests in 2027, annual since 2028
• 54 million one-offs in 2026 for agricultural aid
• Parliament decides

Key facts

• What: Additional funding for forests and agriculture
• When: Request announced today
• Where: Bern, Federal Council
• Who: Federal Council; Parliament approves
• Amount: 70+ million total francs
• Deadlines: Check further measures by 31 October 2026
• Bodies: DATEC, DEFR, DFI, DDPS coordinate monitoring

The Federal Council today put forward a request to Parliament: over 70 million additional francs to deal with the consequences of the cannibalistic summer and drought that marked 2026. The announcement reflects the growing pressure of climate change on national land management. The funds will be allocated to two strategic sectors: adaptation of forests and immediate support to farms in liquidity crisis.

For the forestry sector, the Federal Council proposes to increase the forestry credit by CHF 17.5 million in 2027. This is not a temporary intervention: as of 2028, the Federal Department of the Environment (DATEC) will be allowed to ask for an additional 17.5 million francs every year. This permanent endowment reflects the awareness that the climate adaptation of forests is not a one-off crisis, but a priority

Operational details

Federal distribution and cantonal roles

The Federal Council's proposal raises significant questions about the territorial distribution of funds. Forest credit will increase with a uniform allocation at national level, but will be managed in collaboration with cantonal authorities, which retain decisive expertise in forest regulation and spatial planning. Agricultural aid for 2026 represents an injection of liquidity that will be coordinated by cantonal administrations according to federal criteria, but with regional flexibility margins given that weather conditions and damage vary significantly between north and south, mountain and plain.

The drought of 2026 demonstrated that climate change is no longer a future threat, but a concrete economic reality that affects corporate profitability. Farms have experienced significant crop reductions, loss of available natural pastures, and additional costs for artificial irrigation systems to compensate for the lack of water. Interest-free loans represent a less onerous alternative to commercial bank loans, although debts remain that companies will have to repay in the following years. This financing mechanism allows companies to preserve existing liquidity for critical operations instead of draining resources towards debt servicing.

Structural impact and duration of

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Key points

Critical Deadlines and Expected Communications

Anyone managing a farm or owning forest properties must stay informed through official cantonal and federal channels. Once Parliament approves the proposed credit increases, DATEC, DEFR, and cantonal offices will communicate the operational procedures to access the funds. For farms, timing is crucial: interest-free credits are useful only if available when liquidity is needed, not months after submitting an application.

The coordinated monitoring by the end of October 2026 is another important deadline to follow. If the Federal Council concludes that additional measures are necessary, it could present supplementary proposals to Parliament. Farmers and forest managers who understand this timeline have the advantage of anticipating any new tools and preparing in advance for the funding access windows.

Where and How to Get Information

Official information regarding calls for proposals, eligibility criteria, and required documentation will be published by DATEC (for forestry credit) and DEFR (for agricultural aid), in coordination with cantonal administrations. At the cantonal level, regional agricultural offices and forestry services will be essential intermediaries between businesses and the Confederation. Anyone wishing to stay informed should periodically consult the official websites of the respective departments and verify the implementation timelines with their cantons.

The coordination between DATEC, DEFR, DFI, and DDPS ensures that monitoring is comprehensive and support is consistent. Data collected by October will become part of parliamentary decisions for 2027 and beyond, influencing federal budget priorities in environmental, economic, and population protection sectors.

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