What changes with the 2030+ Agricultural Policy?

The Federal Council increases farmers' room for manoeuvre, reducing the bureaucratic burden and tying direct payments to results rather than rigid requirements. The entry thresholds for direct payments on plains and hills are also raised, and additional support is offered to the dairy sector and plant crops intended for human consumption. The aim is to improve the economic situation of farmers and increase national food security.

When does the PA30+ come into force?

The PA30+ is placed in consultation until 8 December. Subsequently, the Federal Council intends to submit to Parliament the spending limits for the period 2030-2033, for a total of CHF 13.8 billion. Parliamentary approval will be required before the system can fully enter into force in 2030.

What are the 4 areas of intervention of the PA30+?

1) Expand farmers' room for manoeuvre and reduce the administrative burden through digitisation; 2) Enhance the smooth functioning of markets and extend solidarity measures; 3) Protect crops by promoting useful insects, sustainable technologies and agricultural training; 4) Involve retail and consumers with target agreements and awareness towards Swiss products.

How does raising the entry thresholds for direct payments affect farmers?

The increase in thresholds in plains and hills is an incentive to promote aggregations and synergies between companies. Smaller businesses may partner to reach required thresholds and access direct payments. This mechanism aims to reduce structural costs, promote economies of scale and reduce the fragmentation of the sector.

PA 2030+: more freedom for Swiss farmers (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 2 September 2026

Swiss agricultural field with ripening crops during golden hour, symbolizing agricultural policy 2030+ changes

The Federal Council launches consultation on PA30+: management autonomy, less bureaucracy, digitalisation and CHF 13.8 billion of investment for agriculture 2030-2033.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What changes with the 2030+ Agricultural Policy?: The Federal Council increases farmers' room for manoeuvre, reducing the bureaucratic burden and tying direct payments to results rather than rigid requirements. The entry thresholds for direct payments on plains and hills are also raised, and additional support is offered to the dairy sector and plant crops intended for human consumption. The aim is to improve the economic situation of farmers and increase national food security.
When does the PA30+ come into force?: The PA30+ is placed in consultation until 8 December. Subsequently, the Federal Council intends to submit to Parliament the spending limits for the period 2030-2033, for a total of CHF 13.8 billion. Parliamentary approval will be required before the system can fully enter into force in 2030.
What are the 4 areas of intervention of the PA30+?: 1) Expand farmers' room for manoeuvre and reduce the administrative burden through digitisation; 2) Enhance the smooth functioning of markets and extend solidarity measures; 3) Protect crops by promoting useful insects, sustainable technologies and agricultural training; 4) Involve retail and consumers with target agreements and awareness towards Swiss products.
How does raising the entry thresholds for direct payments affect farmers?: The increase in thresholds in plains and hills is an incentive to promote aggregations and synergies between companies. Smaller businesses may partner to reach required thresholds and access direct payments. This mechanism aims to reduce structural costs, promote economies of scale and reduce the fragmentation of the sector.