Parliamentary commissions want to promote sugar production in the long term
Published: Tuesday, Jan 16th 2024, 17:30
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Swiss sugar producers are to receive long-term state support. Specifically, the current self-sufficiency level of seventy percent should be secured. This is what the two responsible parliamentary committees are demanding. A bill can now be drawn up.
After the Economic Committee of the Council of States (WAK-S), the sister committee of the National Council has also spoken out in favor of two corresponding state initiatives from the cantons of Thurgau and Bern, as announced by the parliamentary services on Tuesday. The WAK-S now has the task of drafting a bill within two years.
The majority would therefore like sugar beet production to remain attractive even after the expiry of the measures - minimum threshold protection and higher individual crop contributions for sugar beet - which are limited until the end of 2026. However, the temporary measures should not simply be continued unchanged.
According to the two status initiatives, research programs for beet varieties that are more resistant to diseases should be promoted. In addition, new types of organic cultivation should be developed. It is about "good framework conditions for the industry", it said. The industry should be prepared in the event that the level of self-sufficiency should suddenly drop.
A significant proportion of Swiss sugar is processed in the cantons of Bern and Thurgau. Without long-term support, the two sugar factories in Aarberg BE and Frauenfeld TG would no longer be working at full capacity, according to the tenor of the cantonal parliaments.
Following the EU's market liberalization in 2017, the Federal Council responded with measures to support domestic sugar production, which are secured until 2026.
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