Switzerland has become the first country in Europe to allow the use of drones to spray plants and crops.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/dos
The authorisation was requested by the Agroscope instituteExternal link – a government agricultural research body – and granted by the Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA) on Thursday.
Agroscope argued that drones are a useful alternative to noisy and inaccurate helicopters when it comes to the spraying of phytosanitary products. Drones, they say, can fly lower and with more precision, thus avoiding wastage or misdirected spray.
Tests were conducted to establish procedures whereby airspace security, precision methods for spraying, and environmental norms were respected, Agroscope said.
The rules laid out by FOCA say that drones will only be authorised if shown to be able to follow an automatic flight trajectory over a certain distance with maximum variations of 50 cm.
Such drones will also undergo tests every three years to determine they meet OFAC standards.
Drone nation
Over 100,000 drones are estimated to have been bought by amateurs in Switzerland in recent years. Regulations have remained largely liberal, and FOCA’s website says that drones weighing less than 30 kilograms may still be operated without a permitExternal link, under certain conditions.
However, authorities are mulling a system that would require all drones over 250g to be registered, which may enter into force next year.
More
More
Welcome to the Drone Valley
This content was published on
Switzerland’s “Drone Valley” is home to 80 startups in the field. What are the factors driving their success? And how can we avoid chaos in the skies?
Switzerland participates in ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting
This content was published on
This engagement was part of a four-day tour of Southeast Asia, aimed at advancing the Swiss Federal Council's Southeast Asia Strategy.
Majority of shareholders approve sustainability reports of major Swiss companies
This content was published on
Shareholders have approved the sustainability reports of the largest Swiss companies by a large majority at their annual general meetings.
EU releases €1.5B frozen assets to Ukraine: Switzerland opts out
This content was published on
The EU announced the release of €1.5 billion (CHF1.44 billion) in aid to Ukraine. Switzerland will not follow the EU's approach.
Five people charged in connection with deadly Swiss rockslide
This content was published on
Five people have been charged with multiple negligent homicide in connection with the deadly Bondo rockslide that occurred seven years ago.
Mountaineer dies after 100-metre fall from Matterhorn
This content was published on
A women fell down the east face of the iconic mountain on Thursday, from an altitude of some 3,460 meters above sea level.
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 Post refines safety processes after drone crash
This content was published on
An interim report into the most recent Swiss Post drone crash has recommended safety improvements. Swiss Post has already reacted.
How Switzerland and the US are preparing for a drone future
This content was published on
Francesco Bortoluzzi of the swissnex network explains how the US and Switzerland have been collaborating on drone regulation.
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.