No declaration of vegetables and fish flown in
Published: Friday, Sep 27th 2024, 09:00
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After harsh criticism during the consultation process, the National Council has dropped the planned declaration requirement for unprocessed foodstuffs flown in. It found that the bill was not suitable for achieving the sustainability goals.
With 123 votes in favor, 70 against and 2 abstentions, the Grand Chamber decided on Friday to write off the bill at the request of its Science, Education and Culture Committee (WBK-N). The matter is therefore off the table.
The bill was the result of a parliamentary initiative by National Councillor Christine Badertscher (Greens/BE). She demanded that the mode of transportation of unprocessed imported foodstuffs such as fish or meat be declared. The declaration should include air transportation to Switzerland. The aims were more transparency for consumers and more sustainable consumption.
Associations and political parties were divided in the consultation on a corresponding amendment to the Foodstuffs Act (LMG). In the WBK-N, skepticism prevailed after analyzing the comments. Instead, it favors a voluntary, self-regulating declaration by the industry, as spokesperson Regine Sauter (FDP/ZH) said.
The Commission also pointed out that the indication of origin on the packaging already gives an indication of the mode of transportation and that the new declaration obligation would entail additional work and costs for the food industry. The major retailers in Switzerland had already introduced a voluntary declaration. Some are already doing away with air transportation altogether.
A left-wing minority in the National Council did not want to write off the parliamentary initiative. It considers the declaration of air transportation to be a reasonable effort for the food industry and a great help in consumers' purchasing decisions.
©Keystone/SDA
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