When exactly will credits be available for farms?

The 54 million francs are earmarked for 2026 and represent a one-off loan. The government has already sought approval from Parliament, but the precise timing of implementation will depend on the legislative process. The cantonal authorities will communicate the access criteria by autumn 2026. It is advisable to monitor the admin.ch and DEFR sites for official updates.

Do interest-free credits for agriculture need to be repaid?

Yes, these are interest-free loans, not non-repayable subsidies. This means that farms will have to repay the capital lent to the government, but without paying interest. The reimbursement structure (monthly amount, duration) will be defined by the cantonal authorities at the time of disbursement.

What does forest adaptation to climate change include?

According to the Federal Council, the 17.5 million per year (from 2027) will be used for concrete adaptation projects: tree species change, rarefaction interventions, innovative management to increase climate resilience. The funding is structural and will be repeated every year from 2028, signalling a long-term commitment.

If the situation worsens by October, will the government propose additional funding?

The DATEC, DEFR, DFI and DDPS will monitor the evolution by the end of October. If necessary, the government could propose additional measures to Parliament, but they are not currently planned. It remains essential to follow the official federal press releases for any developments.

Who can access interest-free loans: all farms?

The source does not yet specify the eligibility criteria. It is likely that farms significantly affected by drought (crop loss, livestock) will be prioritised, but the exact details will be defined by the cantonal authorities. It is advisable to contact the cantonal agricultural office for preliminary information.

Canicola, 70 million for forest and agriculture (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 26 August 2026

Alpine Swiss forests in summer, mountain landscape with forested and agricultural zones

The Federal Council requires 70+ million francs to adapt forests and support farms affected by heatwave and summer drought.

Context

In a nutshell

Federal Council requires 70+ my CHF for forests and agriculture
17.5 million per year from 2027 for forest adaptation (DATEC)
54 million in 2026 one-off for interest-free agricultural credits
Parliament has final word on approval

Key facts

What: Federal funding for climate adaptation and agricultural support
When: Announcement today, implementation 2026-2027 (ratifies Parliament)
Where: Switzerland (DATEC, DEFR, DFI, DDPS coordinate)
Who: Federal Council (decision), Parliament (approval)
Amount of forests: CHF 17.5 million per year from 2027
Agriculture amount: CHF 54 million unique solution 2026
Monitoring deadline: 31 October 2026

The Federal Council has today requested more than 70 million additional francs to deal with the consequences of the summer heat wave and drought, phenomena that affect costo della vita in Svizzera. The funds, as communicated by the government, will be used to adapt the forest to climate change and to support farms affected by liquidity crises. The last word will go to Parliament, which will have to approve the appropriations.

According to ongoing investigations at the relevant federal departments, there is a need for additional funding in the short term. For the forestry sector, the Executive calls on Parliament to increase the forestry credit by CHF 17.5 million for the year 2027. From 2028 onwards, the Federal Department of the Environment (DETEC) will be authorised to request every

Operational details

The Federal Council's intervention reflects the seriousness of the climate situation that is affecting Swiss agriculture. Interest-free loans are an essential tool for farms that are in treasury difficulties due to drought. Unlike direct subsidies, these credits maintain the principle of repayment, avoiding creating permanent dependence on public transfers, while still providing a breath of oxygen in the short term.

For the forestry sector, the adoption of annual structural funding from 2028 signals a political awareness that Swiss forests will have to undergo significant transformations. Adaptation to climate change is not a matter of temporary emergency, but of continuous investment in national natural capital. More resilient forests, with appropriate species and innovative management, represent a public good that benefits the entire country: from avalanche protection to water regulation, from biodiversity conservation to air quality.

Monitoring and possible developments

The Federal Council's request to check by the end of October whether further measures are needed is crucial. If the situation does not improve, the government could propose additional appropriations to address more severe liquidity crises, increase support to farmers or implement protective measures

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Key points

Farmers and forest managers who intend to benefit from federal funds must first stay updated on the official communication channels of the Swiss government. Federal Council decisions become operative only after Parliament's approval, so timelines are not yet certain. However, it is advisable to start preparing now, by checking your financial situation and the necessary documentation.

How to Follow Progress

Anyone engaged in agricultural activity in Switzerland or managing forest properties should regularly consult the admin.ch website, where official updates on federal decisions are published. In particular, it is useful to monitor the press releases of the Federal Department of the Environment (DATEC) and the Federal Department of Economy (DEFR), which will guide the implementation of financing. An important aspect concerns checking your tax position: consult the corporate tax return to understand how potential federal aid could affect your company's tax situation.

For farmers, the next step will be to verify with cantonal authorities what the concrete modalities of access to interest-free credit are. Each canton will manage the distribution of these funds through its own agricultural offices, so it is important to contact the competent cantonal administration as soon as the eligibility criteria are published (expected: autumn 2026).

For forest managers, involvement with the cantons and federal forestry services will be decisive, since the distribution of the 17.5 million for 2027 will need to be based on concrete adaptation projects. Forests that require species change, thinning interventions, innovative management to improve climate resilience: these needs will need to be documented to access the funds.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly will credits be available for farms?: The 54 million francs are earmarked for 2026 and represent a one-off loan. The government has already sought approval from Parliament, but the precise timing of implementation will depend on the legislative process. The cantonal authorities will communicate the access criteria by autumn 2026. It is advisable to monitor the admin.ch and DEFR sites for official updates.
Do interest-free credits for agriculture need to be repaid?: Yes, these are interest-free loans, not non-repayable subsidies. This means that farms will have to repay the capital lent to the government, but without paying interest. The reimbursement structure (monthly amount, duration) will be defined by the cantonal authorities at the time of disbursement.
What does forest adaptation to climate change include?: According to the Federal Council, the 17.5 million per year (from 2027) will be used for concrete adaptation projects: tree species change, rarefaction interventions, innovative management to increase climate resilience. The funding is structural and will be repeated every year from 2028, signalling a long-term commitment.
If the situation worsens by October, will the government propose additional funding?: The DATEC, DEFR, DFI and DDPS will monitor the evolution by the end of October. If necessary, the government could propose additional measures to Parliament, but they are not currently planned. It remains essential to follow the official federal press releases for any developments.
Who can access interest-free loans: all farms?: The source does not yet specify the eligibility criteria. It is likely that farms significantly affected by drought (crop loss, livestock) will be prioritised, but the exact details will be defined by the cantonal authorities. It is advisable to contact the cantonal agricultural office for preliminary information.