PA 2030+: more freedom for Swiss farmers

Context

In brief

• Federal Council launches PA30+ consultation until December 8
• More management autonomy for farmers, less bureaucracy
• Spending 2030-2033: 13.8 billion CHF (-123 million vs 2026-2029)

Key facts

• What: Agricultural Policy 2030+ with 4 areas of intervention
• When: Consultation until December 8; in force 2030-2033
• Where: Switzerland (all cantons)
• Who: Federal Council, farmers, traders, consumers
• Amount: 13.8 billion CHF for 2030-2033

The Federal Council today announced the Agricultural Policy 2030+ (PA30+), a new regulatory framework for the Swiss agricultural sector aimed at increasing national food security by expanding farmers' operational leeway. The consultation remains open until December 8.

"The actors in the agri-food chain and consumers are called upon to take on greater responsibilities to ensure an ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable food system," the executive explained in a statement. Federal President Guy Parmelin outlined the details during a press conference.

The four strategic areas of PA30+

The PA30+ is structured around four strategic areas. The first concerns the expansion of farmers' operational leeway and the reduction of administrative burden through digitalization. Currently, direct payments to farmers are closely linked to compliance with certain prescriptions. With PA30+, these payments will increasingly be linked to the actual results achieved, offering greater management freedom.

To support this transition, the Federal Council intends to substantially raise the entry thresholds for direct payments in the lowland and hilly zones, as well as for structural improvements in the lowland zone. "In this way, we aim to reduce costs and ask farmers to find synergies among themselves," Parmelin explained.

The second area concerns the proper functioning of markets. The executive intends to strengthen market observation and extend solidarity measures to help agricultural businesses value their products and strengthen their position in the domestic market. Additional specific support is also planned for the dairy sector and for crops directly intended for human consumption, with the aim of improving farmers' economic situation.

The third area addresses crop protection. Measures are planned to promote beneficial insects and organisms in biological control, support the development of sustainable technologies, and strengthen training and advice for farmers. In this way, agricultural businesses will receive greater support in adapting to climate change.

The last area concerns the involvement of retail trade and consumers. The government intends to promote sustainability throughout the value chain through agreements on objectives with traders and greater awareness among citizens towards Swiss products. This approach aims to positively influence the cost of living through a more transparent supply chain.

Operational details

How agricultural payments are changing

The Federal Council intends to submit to Parliament the spending limits for agriculture for the period 2030-2033, for a total of 13.8 billion francs. This amount represents a reduction of 123 million francs compared to the previous period (2026-2029), but still an increase of 80 million compared to what would be available if the 2030 financial plan were maintained at nominal values.

The reduction compared to the previous three-year period reflects the efficiency objective of PA30+: through the reduction of administrative burden and the strengthening of digitalization, the system aims to achieve the same support for the sector with slightly lower costs. However, compared to a scenario of simple continuity, PA30+ represents an additional investment of 80 million.

One of the most significant changes concerns the shift from payments linked to compliance with prescriptions to payments linked to results. This system offers farmers greater flexibility in choosing the operational methods to achieve sustainability, environmental protection, and food safety goals.

The increase in entry thresholds for direct payments, particularly in the plains and hills, represents a structural incentive to promote aggregations and synergies between companies. Smaller companies could associate to meet the required thresholds, allowing them to access direct payments and structural improvements. This mechanism reduces the fragmentation of the sector and promotes economies of scale.

The central role of the Swiss consumer

PA30+ recognizes that the end consumer plays a crucial role in supporting the sustainable food system. Through agreements on objectives with traders and awareness of Swiss products, it is intended to create a positive dynamic that connects agricultural supply with conscious consumer demand.

This shift from the supply side to a multi-stakeholder approach (farmers, traders, consumers, institutions) represents a paradigm shift in how Switzerland manages food security. It is no longer just about subsidizing production, but about building an ecosystem where all actors share responsibilities and benefits.

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Key points

Participation in the consultation

The consultation on PA30+ remains open until December 8. This period is intended to collect feedback from farmers, industry associations, traders, environmental organizations, and interested citizens.

Those wishing to contribute can submit observations and proposals directly to the Federal Council. The specific methods of participation (format of observations, transmission addresses, possible regional information meetings) must be verified on the official website of the Swiss government or with the cantonal agricultural administrations, which often facilitate the dialogue between their farmers and the federal consultation.

Practical implications for the agricultural sector

For farmers, PA30+ represents a concrete opportunity to reduce bureaucracy. The digitization of the application and monitoring processes for direct payments should significantly simplify administrative management, freeing up time and resources for production activities. At the same time, the increase in entry thresholds represents a stimulus to rethink the organizational structure: associations between small farms, cooperatives, or sharing of infrastructure could offer new employment opportunities and synergies in the sector.

For traders, the agreements on objectives with the Federal Council represent a shared framework for promoting Swiss agricultural products. This creates opportunities for differentiation and marketing linked to sustainability, strengthening the connection between conscious consumers and local quality supply.

Next steps and time horizon

The presentation to Parliament of the spending limits will take place after the conclusion of the consultation, probably in 2027. Parliamentary approval will be necessary before PA30+ can fully enter into force for the period 2030-2033.

In the meantime, farmers and sector operators should stay informed about the developments of the consultation. Contacting the cantonal professional agricultural associations and following the official channels of the Federal Council allows you to keep up with the news.

For those who need information on the current direct payments to farmers, on the structure of federal subsidies, and on the calculation of the contributions that will benefit from the new thresholds, it is advisable to consult the dedicated federal support and information services.

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Source: swissinfo.ch