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Switzerland already has high standards and the federal government is committed to ensuring food safety. The government is opposed to the Greens' initiative for fair food.
Federal President Alain Berset speaks alongside Hans Wyss, Director of the Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs, at the conference. a press conference entitled "For a healthy and equitable diet". Initiative) "in the media center of the Bundeshaus in Bern. (Image: Anthony Anex / Keystone)
Popular petitions are in vogue. On September 23, Switzerland will vote on the Green Party's Fair Food initiative. To do this, the federal government must promote environmentally friendly, animal-friendly and equitable products. It should do it in Germany by default. The same standards should in principle also apply to imports. The federal government must also check with national and foreign controls whether the requirements are met.
The Federal Council also wants to promote sustainable and equitable food production at home and abroad, Interior Minister Alain Berset said on Monday. However, the applicable provisions were sufficient. However, the Federal Council is very concerned about the implementation of the initiative. The federal government should verify in the country of origin under what conditions food is produced. The cost of the controls could make the goods more expensive. There is no estimate. The extent to which prices would rise depends on implementation, Berset said.
More stringent import requirements could also limit the choice of food in Switzerland. In addition, the Federal Council stresses that they could violate the trade regulations – in particular the obligations contracted by Switzerland under the agreements of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Conflicts also threaten bilateral agreements with the EU and free trade agreements. WTO law requires that foreign products not be discriminated against as domestic products. The methods or conditions of production are not accepted to justify the impediment to the importation of goods – even by reducing the import duties. So there is a risk of trade disputes, said Berset.
The Federal Council stresses that Switzerland produces about half of its own food needs. These should meet strict requirements. For example, the Federal Constitution requires socially responsible and ecological agriculture. The Confederation is also committed to ensuring a high quality and safe food on an international scale, said Berset. Switzerland, for example, is committed to the respectful use of natural resources as part of the 2030 Agenda of Uno.
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