Switzerland tiptoes around alpine protection
The Swiss parliament has taken steps towards improving protection of the environment in the Alps.
On Monday the Senate voted in favour of ratifying three of nine framework protocols contained in the Alpine Convention, which entered into force in 1995.
Parliamentarians showed their support for protocols on transport, soil conservation, and land use planning and sustainable development.
But they decided to delay a vote on ratification of six other protocols, including those governing tourism and agriculture.
Buying time
Members of the Senate argued that they needed more time to assess the impact of the first three protocols.
During the debate the environment minister, Moritz Leuenberger, failed to convince the Senate to approve all nine protocols.
He argued that Switzerland should show its commitment to protecting the Alps by ratifying the whole package.
It is the second time that the Senate has tackled the issue after it refused to discuss ratification of the protocols last year.
The other parliamentary chamber, the House of Representatives, has still to debate the issue.
Preparation
Switzerland signed the Alpine Convention in 1991 alongside Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein and the European Union. Slovenia and Monaco joined later.
Some of the signatory states have already signed up to the protocols, but in Switzerland the ratification process is still underway after five years of political debate.
Opponents argue that the agreements focus too much on ecological aspects and ignore the importance of economic growth and tourism in Alpine regions.
swissinfo with agencies
Eight countries signed the Alpine Convention between 1991 and 1994.
It is aimed at protecting the environment in the Alps and ensuring its sustainable development.
Four countries, including Germany and Austria, have so far ratified the protocols.
The Senate has voted to ratify three protocols of the Alpine Convention.
Six others were put on hold.
The other parliamentary chamber, the House of Representatives, will discuss the bill at a later stage.
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