Some 4,500 people demonstrated in Bern on Saturday to promote agriculture based on social and ecological values.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/swissinfo.ch/sm
Under the slogan “food is political”, the participants demanded more sustainable farming, fair prices for farmers and the right to healthy and high-quality food for everyone.
The “Agriculture of the Future”External link alliance was created by activists concerned about climate change. Its supporters include some 30 groups representing farmers, the food industry, environmentalists and aid organizations.
In their view, global warming, social injustice and political failure have led to agriculture hurting nature as well as farmers. According to “Agriculture of the Future”, farming today is less about feeding the population than it is about generating profits for the few giants of the agri-food industry.
As a representative of the Small Farmers’ Association told the crowd gathered in front of the federal palace, “What we eat shapes our agriculture. What we eat shapes our landscape. And what we eat shapes our society”.
“The goal of the demonstration [was] to meet Swiss farmers, voice their demands and create a public debate on the theme of agriculture, based on the model of the climate strikes,” co-organizer Alexis Dubout told Swiss public radio, RTS.
By 2030, the activists want to see more organic and regenerative farming, fewer chemicals, a reduction in livestock, and stricter requirements for imported products.
At the end of last year, the Federal Office for Agriculture banned chlorothalonil, a fungicide used to prevent mildew and mould on crops.
This month the Federal Council presented a strategy to shrink the farming sector’s ecological footprint.
More
More
Swiss government sets out new greener farming policy
This content was published on
The Federal Council has presented its new agricultural strategy that aims to shrink the sector’s ecological footprint.
This content was published on
Switzerland is one of the frontrunners at investing in technology start-ups, according to a study by the European Patent Office.
Geneva university challenges ‘hot Jupiter’ planetary theories
This content was published on
Research led by the University of Geneva challenges current theories about the formation of 'hot Jupiter' planetary systems.
Bankrupt debtors to get second chance in Switzerland
This content was published on
Over-indebted people in Switzerland will be offered a new chance to wipe the slate clean with new procedures to restructure debt.
Swiss drone flights suspended after India incident
This content was published on
Swiss army suspends ADS 15 reconnaissance drone flights following an incident involving a drone of the same type in India.
Zurich traffic signs get gender diversification makeover
This content was published on
The little men depicted on Zurich street signs are to be joined by women, pregnant women, lesbian couples or senior citizens with walking sticks.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss government gives animal welfare a boost
This content was published on
The government wants enshrine animal dignity in the Swiss constitution, but it has come out against a more detailed initiative by rights groups.
This content was published on
Drinking water in at least a third of Switzerland’s 26 cantons contains above-recommended levels of the banned pesticide chlorothalonil.
Swiss ban widely-used pesticide over health and environment fears
This content was published on
The Federal Office for Agriculture has banned chlorothalonil, a fungicide used since 1970s to prevent mildew and mould on crops.
This content was published on
Swiss voters have snubbed proposals to improve food quality and protect local farming but agriculture issues remain high on the political agenda.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.