Switzerland's 'Nutrition Initiative' Aims for 70% Food Self-Sufficiency in 10 Years
The 'Nutrition Initiative', submitted on August 16, 2024, aims to boost Switzerland's food self-sufficiency and promote sustainable agriculture. It calls for a shift towards more plant-based food and ensuring clean water, biodiversity, and soil fertility.
The initiative seeks to raise the net self-sufficiency rate from 46% to at least 70% within a decade. This would significantly decrease the share of imported calories. However, it requires a substantial change in consumption habits and a shift in imports, with animal products decreasing and plant-based proteins, seeds, and specialty ingredients increasing.
Short-term effects may include price hikes for meat, dairy, eggs, and plant-based staples due to production method changes. Medium-term effects could see partially stabilized prices and sustained increases if production targets are inefficiently met. The Federal Council supports some goals but deems the timeline unrealistic due to the need for massive government interventions and existing infrastructure issues.
The Nutrition Initiative, if adopted, could lead to higher initial food costs and adaptation pressure on catering and processing industries. It aims to increase food security and sustainability by promoting plant-based foods and ensuring clean water, biodiversity, and soil fertility. The Federal Council backs some goals but questions the feasibility within the given timeframe.
