National Council declares war on environmentally harmful subsidies
Published: Wednesday, Apr 17th 2024, 08:40
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The National Council wants to supplement the Federal Council's climate and natural resources targets. This was decided on Wednesday as part of the debate on the 2023-2027 legislative planning.
With regard to the goal of protecting the environment and biodiversity, the Grand Chamber states that the Federal Council should advocate an effective environmental policy specifically with regard to a secure energy supply. It also proposes the adoption of a consultation draft on a revision of the CO2 Act for the period from 2030.
It is also calling for the state government to draw up a biodiversity action plan during the current legislative period. This should include a review of subsidies that are harmful to biodiversity. On these points, the National Council followed the proposals of its Legislative Planning Committee (LPK-N).
In addition to the committee motions, the National Council decided that the Federal Council must decide on the definitive introduction of sustainable wolf regulation. It should also draw up an energy efficiency strategy. In contrast, a motion from the Green parliamentary group, according to which the Federal Council should adhere to the UN Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda when implementing its guidelines, did not receive a majority.
Limited bureaucracy for farmers
In order to take account of the effects of demographic change in Switzerland, the National Council is calling for the Federal Council to adopt an overall strategy and present a report on agglomeration policy and policy for rural and mountain areas 2024+.
Another amendment adopted by the National Council concerns fair prices for farmers. Specifically, according to the additional objective, the federal government should guarantee producers fair prices that cover production costs and limit bureaucracy.
Numerous minority motions calling for more ambitious climate targets in the legislative planning or the opposite failed in the Council.
After more than seven hours of debate, the bill was finally discussed. Due to the faulty voting system, the National Council was only able to vote on important points on Wednesday morning. The Council of States will next deliberate on the legislative planning.
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