Due to this measure, Swiss farmers say they can now more easily maintain and expand their organic livestock farming.
The import of organic soy was previously restricted by Switzerland because of concerns about the sustainability and environmental impacts of foreign production. The import of large quantities of soy and corn from South America would lead to ongoing deforestation of rainforests. Increasingly, voices in many EU countries are also rising that oppose the import of South American animal feed.
The latest agricultural statistics from Switzerland show some notable recent trends. The number of farms decreased by 1.3% in 2023 to 48,000. Organic farms now make up about one-sixth of the total, a slight increase compared to the previous year. These organic farms are on average larger than conventional farms.
The cultivation of sunflowers is on the rise, with an increase of more than 20% in area. This is mainly due to demand for sunflower oil. The cultivation of soy also continues to grow, though less spectacularly than before, with a rise of 6%. Conversely, the cultivation of potatoes and grains is decreasing, with a fall of 2% and 3.5% respectively.