What is PA30+ and why is it important?

PA30+ is the new Agricultural Policy from 2030 that the Federal Council is defining through consultation. It involves all the actors in the agri-food chain: farmers, industry and consumers. It redefines the role of Swiss agriculture in a context of climate change, food security and sustainability. The decisions taken affect access to markets, food prices and production methods in the coming years.

When can I vote online in Switzerland?

The Federal Council has authorised online voting in Neuchâtel until 26 November 2028. The first experimentation will be in the popular vote on 29 November 2026. The data collected will guide the decisions of the other cantons. Online voting reduces physical barriers for the elderly, people with disabilities and workers with strict schedules, but requires attention to issues of cybersecurity and voter confidentiality.

How to access the national registry for rare diseases?

The Federal Council intends to create the legal basis for a national register of rare diseases. Currently, patients with rare diseases struggle to access coordinated care. Once operational, the centralized registry allows physicians to connect with recognized specialists and patients to find specialized care. Patient associations will communicate how to enroll once the legal basis has been approved.

What additional funds does agriculture receive in 2026?

The Federal Council has decided on additional funds for forests and agriculture to tackle heatwave and drought. Investments concern relief irrigation, phytosanitary defense of the forest and research on drought-resistant varieties. At the end of October, the Federal Government will reassess the situation, adapting the measures on real weather data. Swiss farmers have suffered significant losses in recent years.

What important deadlines in 2026?

On September 27, 2026, citizens vote on the neutrality and nutrition initiative. On November 29, 2026, online voting experimentation begins in Neuchâtel. The Federal Council forwarded to Parliament on 13 March 2026 a package of Switzerland-EU agreements to stabilise bilateral relations. The admin.ch portal remains the official source for all announcements, advisory dossiers and voting calendars.

PA30+: Federal Consultation on Agriculture (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 9 September 2026

Swiss rural landscape with alpine meadows and forests during summer heat wave

PA30+ consultation with all agri-food stakeholders. News about online voting in Neuchâtel, rare diseases and climate funds.

Context

In brief

Federal Council launches PA30+ for agricultural policy from 2030
Online voting authorized in Neuchâtel until November 26, 2028
Measures for rare diseases: legal bases and national registry
Additional funds to address heat waves and drought for forests and agriculture

Key facts

What: Four decisions by the Federal Council on agriculture, digital democracy, health and environment
When: PA30+ consultation launched; November 26, 2028 (end of online voting authorization); September 27, 2026 (popular vote); March 13, 2026 (transmission of EU package)
Where: National Switzerland; Canton Neuchâtel
Who: Federal Council, Parliament, citizens, agrifood chain actors
Topics: Agricultural policy, digital voting, health, climate sustainability

The Federal Government entrusts consultation on the future of Swiss agriculture

The Federal Council has adopted a series of strategic measures that reshape the Swiss agricultural landscape, strengthen digital democracy and address health and climate challenges. The announcement comes from the official portal of the Swiss Government (admin.ch) and concerns areas that directly affect the daily life of residents in the country.

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Operational details

Practical implications for the daily life of Swiss residents

The decisions of the Federal Council are not simple palace announcements: they have concrete and measurable impacts on the daily life of those who live and work in Switzerland. Let's examine how each measure affects personal finances, access to services, and opportunities for democratic participation.

Agriculture, food prices and consumer budgets

The consultation on PA30+ concerns not only professional farmers, but anyone who buys food in supermarkets or from local producers. A reform of agricultural policy that involves 'all actors in the agrifood chain' means that prices, availability and characteristics of domestic products may vary in the coming years. If the Government decides to reduce direct subsidies to agriculture, supermarket prices could rise to reflect true production costs. If instead it encourages organic or sustainable production, consumer budgets could suffer in the short term, but benefit from a more environmentally conscious supply. Discover how the cost of living in Switzerland changes to understand which federal factors affect your daily spending on food, energy and housing.

The consultation is the crucial moment in which consumer associations, agricultural unions and organized citizens can make their voice heard before the Federal Council submits legislative proposals to Parliament. The observations received shape the final text of reforms.

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Key points

How to Participate: Deadlines, Procedures and Practical Tools

Federal Council decisions are not final: many steps require public consultations, parliamentary votes and popular votes. Here's what Swiss residents can concretely do in the coming months to inform themselves and participate in decision-making processes.

Calendar of Critical Deadlines

September 27, 2026: First appointment with no extension. Swiss citizens will vote on two initiatives: one on neutrality and one on food. Consulting the official federal government dossiers to understand the pros and cons of each initiative is essential before voting. It's advisable to inform yourself at least a week before the vote by reading the official materials from the Federal Council on admin.ch.

November 29, 2026: In the Canton of Neuchâtel, some voters will be able to try online voting. If you reside in Neuchâtel and are eligible to vote, check with your municipal office to see if you are included in the pilot group. The pilot involves a limited number of voters, so access is not automatic.

November 26, 2028: Final deadline for authorization of online voting in Neuchâtel. Before this date, the federal government and the canton will evaluate the results of the pilot and decide whether to extend e-voting to other cantons or extend the authorization in the canton of Neuchâtel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is PA30+ and why is it important?: PA30+ is the new Agricultural Policy from 2030 that the Federal Council is defining through consultation. It involves all the actors in the agri-food chain: farmers, industry and consumers. It redefines the role of Swiss agriculture in a context of climate change, food security and sustainability. The decisions taken affect access to markets, food prices and production methods in the coming years.
When can I vote online in Switzerland?: The Federal Council has authorised online voting in Neuchâtel until 26 November 2028. The first experimentation will be in the popular vote on 29 November 2026. The data collected will guide the decisions of the other cantons. Online voting reduces physical barriers for the elderly, people with disabilities and workers with strict schedules, but requires attention to issues of cybersecurity and voter confidentiality.
How to access the national registry for rare diseases?: The Federal Council intends to create the legal basis for a national register of rare diseases. Currently, patients with rare diseases struggle to access coordinated care. Once operational, the centralized registry allows physicians to connect with recognized specialists and patients to find specialized care. Patient associations will communicate how to enroll once the legal basis has been approved.
What additional funds does agriculture receive in 2026?: The Federal Council has decided on additional funds for forests and agriculture to tackle heatwave and drought. Investments concern relief irrigation, phytosanitary defense of the forest and research on drought-resistant varieties. At the end of October, the Federal Government will reassess the situation, adapting the measures on real weather data. Swiss farmers have suffered significant losses in recent years.
What important deadlines in 2026?: On September 27, 2026, citizens vote on the neutrality and nutrition initiative. On November 29, 2026, online voting experimentation begins in Neuchâtel. The Federal Council forwarded to Parliament on 13 March 2026 a package of Switzerland-EU agreements to stabilise bilateral relations. The admin.ch portal remains the official source for all announcements, advisory dossiers and voting calendars.