The Economic Commission of the Council of States considers that the draft agricultural policy 2022+ has only negative points and does not provide a long-term perspective.
The new agricultural policy brings only disadvantages to the peasants, estimates the Commission of the economy of the Council of States (archives).
KEYSTONE/CHRISTIAN BEUTLER
The 2022+ agricultural policy is expected to lag behind. The Economic Commission of the Council of States wishes, by 6 votes to 4, to suspend work on this project and asks the government for a report on the future direction by 2022 at the latest.
The reform, which should enter into force on 1is January 2022, should provide a new framework for agriculture. The Minister of the Economy, Guy Parmelin, requests a loan of 13.774 billion francs for the years 2022 to 2025.
Negative points
In the opinion of the committee, the project has only negative points: additional requirements, reduction in direct payments, risk of falling prices and incomes, lower supply rate. It also does not provide a long-term perspective, indicate the parliamentary services on Friday.
A minority of the committee is opposed to the suspension of work. Already under heavy pressure, the profession needs a stable legal framework. The left stresses that agriculture must be prepared in time for international developments and ecological challenges.
New clarifications
The committee had already requested an additional report in July. But this one did not give satisfaction.
The majority of the committee now expects the Federal Council to address the shortcomings. By 6 votes to 4, it tabled a postulate which calls into question the non-financial aspects of agricultural policy (law on agriculture, law on rural land rights and law on epizootics).
Financial resources will be discussed on August 27. The Council of States will consider the suspension proposal in December.
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