Cabinet rejects ‘fair food’ initiative

The initiative's supporters want food from other countries to be subject to the same standards imposed on Swiss agricultural producers Keystone

The government cabinet has come out against the so-called Fair Food initiative launched by the leftwing Green Party. It says the proponents’ concerns are legitimate, but the implementation would be problematic. 

The initiative demands that food imports be socially equitable and environmentally responsible. Supported by development aid organisations as well as consumer and animal rights groups, the Green Party wants food from other countries to be subject to the same standards imposed on Swiss agricultural producers. 

In a statement released on Wednesday, the government said such a policy would conflict with current trade agreements and be difficult to enforce. In addition, it would result in food becoming more expensive. In terms of production within Switzerland, the cabinet said the law was already in the spirit of the initiative’s goals. 

For these reasons, the government said it would recommend voters reject the initiative. In November 2015, the Greens submitted more than the number of signatures required for a nationwide vote, which will be scheduled in the next few years.