Swiss reject initiative to make farming more ethical
BERN: Swiss voters have rejected two proposals aimed at protecting farmers and ensuring food from both domestic and foreign producers is healthier, more environmentally sound and animal-friendly.
Projections for public broadcaster SRF showed voters rejecting the Fairfood Initiative which could have involved requiring Swiss inspectors to travel abroad to conduct compliance checks.
A separate Food Sovereignty proposal aimed to underpin farmers’ salaries and ensure imported food meets Swiss standards has also been rejected by voters.
Proposals need a majority of voters and cantons – states – to pass, and returns by early afternoon showed that more than half of the cantons had rejected both initiatives.
Cost concerns, government opposition and other factors appear to have dented public support for the proposals. The government argued that the Fair-food Initiative could limit choice, raise prices and jeopardise Swiss commercial agreements with trading partners.
Voters did, however, appear set to approve a third measure that would require the government to do more to improve bicycle lanes and other infrastructure.
Switzerland’s form of direct democracy gives voters a say several times a year on matters of public interest.