New voter surveys in Switzerland indicate increasing rejection of two environmental referenda proposing a ban on the use of synthetic chemicals. On Sunday, Swiss voters will decide on five different citizen initiatives.
Two proposals (one on better food safety and one on preventing drinking water contamination) both essentially call for a ban on chemicals—not only in agriculture and livestock farming but also for weed control in private gardens, parks, and public roads.
The latest opinion poll was conducted for the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). It shows that support for a total chemical ban has decreased from 48 to 44 percent, opponents also account for more than 40 percent, and that undecided voters will be decisive.
Another survey by the Swiss public radio and television RTS confirms this trend, except in the southern "Italian" part of Switzerland, which is very positive about these initiatives.
If the proposals are approved, Switzerland would be the first country in the world to ban synthetic crop protection agents. However, the two texts, which initially led in the polls, have seen their support decline in recent weeks.
The pesticide ban and the drinking water protection focus on ending direct subsidies to farmers who use artificial crop protection in agriculture and antibiotics for livestock. If both proposals are approved, Swiss farmers will have ten years to stop using such agents.
The two proposals would also prohibit the import of food products produced with synthetic pesticides, so as not to disadvantage Swiss farmers.
Swiss agricultural organizations and the chemical industry have extensively campaigned against the two proposals. The Swiss agricultural organization says many farmers feel their livelihoods are threatened by the stricter regulations. Pesticide manufacturer Syngenta, headquartered in Switzerland, opposes the popular initiative.
Major agricultural organizations, including the Swiss Farmers Union and the Swiss Market Gardening Union, have called for a "no-two" vote, considering the proposals too extreme. Swiss beekeepers responded with a "double yes," while the federation of organic farms supports one proposal (pesticide ban) but rejects the text concerning drinking water.
In Switzerland, 100,000 voter signatures are required to request a referendum. The two chemical bans gathered this support in no time. Many commentators refer to the European Union (which Switzerland is not part of but cooperates with economically), where a Green Deal in agriculture and environmental subsidy targets for farmers are being developed.
"Swiss agriculture will also have to change, we agree on that," responded Francis Egger, deputy director of the Swiss Farmers' Union. "There are twice as many as 100,000 people who registered, so there is a clear message from consumers," he admitted.
Declining support is also emerging for a third environmental issue on the ballot, concerning nitrogen air pollution. Support for the revised CO2 law has fallen by six percentage points to 54% in recent weeks, while opponents gained 8% compared to an earlier poll a month ago.
The Swiss Federal Council (government) has advised the population to vote against both proposals and warned of risks to the food supply and rising food prices.
However, the two other issues on the ballot— a legal change on rules for preventive detention (anti-terror laws) and the Covid law (more powers in medical crisis situations)—appear likely to be approved.