Search

Table 4.2. Switzerland: Direct payments, 2017-20 (CHF million):
(...)
Biodiversity payments (total): (2017) 413.3, (2018) 410.6, (2019) 417.0, (2020) 426.4
Quality payment: (2017) 313.4, (2018) 307.9, (2019) 312.0, (2020) 317.8
Payment for biodiversity networks: (2017) 99.9, (2018) 102.7, (2019) 105.0, (2020) 108.6
(...)

Table 4.2. Switzerland: Direct payments, 2017-20 (CHF million):
(...)
Resource efficiency payments (total): (2017) 28.3, (2018) 35.4, (2019) 37.0, (2020) 39.5
Payment for emission-reducing application techniques of manure: (2017) 12.1, (2018) 13.1, (2019) 13.5, (2020) 13.7
Payment for reduced tillage: (2017) 15.2, (2018) 16.7, (2019) 16.1, (2020) 16.1
Payment for precision application of pesticides: (2017) 0.9, (2018) 1.4, (2019) 2.0, (2020) 2.0
Payment for nitrogen-reduced phase feeding for pigs: (2017) n.a., (2018) 2.4, (2019) 2.9, (2020) 3.0
Payment for reduced application of pesticides in sugar beet, fruit and vine growing: (2017) n.a., (2018) 1.8, (2019) 2.4, (2020) 4.7
(...)

Table 4.2. Switzerland: Direct payments, 2017-20 (CHF million):
(...)
Payments for water protection and sustainable use of natural resources: (2017) 18.4, (2018) 21.5, (2019) 21.5, (2020) 28.1
(...)
Note: Payments for water protection and sustainable use of natural resources are not direct payments but another type of financial support. Since they are financed by the federal direct payments budget (and co-financed by the cantons), they are included in this table.

4.45. As a consequence of the rejection by the Swiss voters of the initiatives "for clean drinking water" and "for a Switzerland free of synthetic pesticides" and the subsequent adoption of the alternative parliamentary initiative, the direct payments regime is set to be adjusted in 2023. The reform aims to achieve some specific reduction targets, by the means of increased environmental requirements for direct payments recipient (Box 4.1). The additional requirements, which are set to be applied on top of the current environmental requirements (proof of ecological performance), are currently going through a public consultation.

Box 4.1. Measures to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses through the direct payments system and the reduction of the risk associated with the use of pesticides in Switzerland:
In July 2020, the Federal Assembly decided to adopt amendments to the Federal Law on Agriculture by means of a parliamentary initiative (19.475: "Reduction of the risk associated with the use of pesticides"), with a view to defining reduction targets for both the use of plant protection and biocide products and nutrient losses: (i) the risks to surface waters and semi-natural habitats as well as to groundwater and groundwater pollution from pesticides must be reduced by 50% by 2027 compared to the mean value of the years 2012-15; and (ii) nitrogen and phosphorus losses from agriculture must be appropriately reduced by 2030 compared to the mean value of the years 2014-16. (...)

4.46. Liechtenstein's current direct payments scheme has been in place since 2010. (...) Other payments under Liechtenstein direct payment systems are made for countryside stewardship in hilly and mountainous areas, and environmental and animal welfare (Table 4.3).

4.47. Liechtenstein has not followed suit in reforming its direct payments system in line with the Swiss Agricultural Policy (AP) 2014-17 , (...) Since 2016, no major agricultural reform has been implemented, but several minor adaptations have been realized towards the goal of a sustainable agricultural sector.

Table 4.3. Liechtenstein's direct payments, 2016-20 (CHF million):
(...)
Environmental and animal welfare payments: (2016) 5.5, (2017) 5.4, (2018) 5.4, (2019) 5.6, (2020) 5.7
Payments for countryside stewardship in hilly and mountainous regions: (2016) 0.5, (2017) 0.5, (2018) 0.5, (2019) 0.5, (2020) 0.5

4.59. Switzerland: In 2019, 56% of the total crop premiums were allocated to sugar beets. The payment rate for sugar beets was temporarily increased from CHF 1,800/ha to CHF 2,100/ha and a minimum border protection of at least CHF 70 per tonne of sugar came into force for the period from 1 January 2019 to 30 September 2021. (...) In September 2021, the Federal Assembly extended the measures until 2026 and an additional premium of CHF 200 per hectare was put in place for organic or integrated sugar production.

4.62. Switzerland maintains an assistance programme for its farmers' organizations and inter professional organizations to promote their agricultural products on the internal market and abroad. Each year, the organizations must apply for financial support of their promotional activities for the following year. Under the programme, the Confederation can co-finance up to a maximum of 50% of the costs for eligible organizations (...) The marketing campaigns for organic products and for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)/Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) products are also co-financed. (..)