What is this initiative expected to achieve?

The initiative aims to increase Switzerland's degree of food self-sufficiency from 46% to at least 70% within ten years, by promoting the production and consumption of plant-based foods compared to animal-based ones.

Who supports and who opposes the initiative?

The initiative is supported by the activist Franziska Herren, the association 'Clean Water for All', the Green Youth and Pro Natura Switzerland. The Federal Council, Parliament and the main economic and agricultural organizations oppose the project, calling it too radical.

When will the popular vote take place?

The Swiss people will be asked to decide on the text of the initiative on 27 September.

Why does the committee consider this initiative necessary?

The committee argues that Switzerland is not safe from crises, such as wars or weather events, that could compromise imports. Growing plant foods for direct human consumption, rather than animal feed, would greatly increase internal calorie production.

Safe Food Initiative: What's Changing on September 27th (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on 15 July 2026

On September 27, the Swiss vote on an initiative that aims to increase food self-sufficiency from 46% to 70%. Here are the details of the text.

Context

In a nutshell

Popular vote on 27 September on food safety.
Objective: self-sufficiency from 46% to at least 70%.
Promoters are calling for a transition to plant production.

Key facts

What: Popular initiative 'For Safe Eating'.
When: Popular vote on September 27.
Where: Switzerland.
Who: Committee led by Franziska Herren.
Amount:112,736 valid signatures collected.

The federal popular initiative called 'For Safe Food' was officially filed in August 2024, with 112,736 valid signatures, bringing the issue directly to the popular vote scheduled for September 27. The heart of the proposal, supported by activist Franziska Herren and the association 'Clean Water for All', aims at a radical transformation of national agricultural policy. The stated goal is to raise Switzerland's net self-sufficiency rate, currently at a standstill of 46%, to a minimum threshold of 70% within a ten-year timeframe. To achieve this goal, the text explicitly asks the Confederation to encourage the production and consumption of food of plant origin, progressively reducing dependence on imports of products of animal origin. In addition to food security, the project places a strong emphasis on ecological sustainability, requiring specific measures for the protection of groundwater resources, the

Operational details

The practical implications analysis of the initiative reveals a profound divergence between the committee's vision and those of the main category organizations and the government. Supporters focus on a significant statistical data: around 60% of Swiss agricultural land is currently used for the cultivation of fodder for animal breeding. According to the committee, the conversion of these surfaces to vegetable crops for direct human consumption would allow for the production of up to ten times more calories for the population, significantly improving the country's ability to sustain itself in case of interruption of international supply chains. However, this transformation would involve a structural restructuring of the Swiss rural economy, which has historically relied heavily on the dairy and livestock sectors.

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Key points

For citizens called to the polls on September 27, the decision requires a careful evaluation of the balance between food security, environmental sustainability, and economic stability. The voting procedure follows normal federal rules: eligible citizens will receive voting materials at home, which include the Federal Council's message with arguments for and against, as well as the official ballot. It is essential to inform oneself correctly before going to the polling station or sending the vote by mail. For those who want to monitor how political decisions and economic fluctuations affect their net income, it is possible to use the salary calculator to evaluate the impact of deductions and taxes, which remain a fixed point in personal financial management in Switzerland. Although the debate focuses on the agricultural sector, the repercussions of a possible approval would inevitably reflect on food expenditure and, more broadly, on household economics.

Source: swissinfo.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this initiative expected to achieve?: The initiative aims to increase Switzerland's degree of food self-sufficiency from 46% to at least 70% within ten years, by promoting the production and consumption of plant-based foods compared to animal-based ones.
Who supports and who opposes the initiative?: The initiative is supported by the activist Franziska Herren, the association 'Clean Water for All', the Green Youth and Pro Natura Switzerland. The Federal Council, Parliament and the main economic and agricultural organizations oppose the project, calling it too radical.
When will the popular vote take place?: The Swiss people will be asked to decide on the text of the initiative on 27 September.
Why does the committee consider this initiative necessary?: The committee argues that Switzerland is not safe from crises, such as wars or weather events, that could compromise imports. Growing plant foods for direct human consumption, rather than animal feed, would greatly increase internal calorie production.