Swiss want to keep chemical crop protection

The Swiss people voted in a referendum yesterday (Sunday 13 June) against 2 controversial agricultural proposals. The initiatives were aimed at discouraging or banning the use of chemical crop protection (PPP).

In the first proposal it was proposed that no subsidy can be claimed when using GBM. The second initiative went even further, completely banning the use of synthetic PPP.

United front
The farmers' advocacy organizations have united and actively campaigned against what they see as very extreme proposals. Chemical giants Bayer and Syngenta have also joined the discussion with an internet platform and a social media campaign promoting the benefits of PPPs.

Even the Swiss government has called on the population to vote against the proposals, and with success. Both initiatives were rejected by almost 61%. In addition to the agricultural initiatives, the Swiss have also rejected the bill to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to 1990.

Jurphaas Lugtenburg

He is a market specialist in grains and other agricultural commodities at DCA Market Intelligence. He also focuses on onions, potatoes, and roughage. Jurphaas also runs an arable farm in Voorne-Putten (South Holland).

j.lugtenburg @boerenbusiness. Nl

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