Million-euro budget for voting campaign on biodiversity initiative
Published: Monday, Aug 12th 2024, 12:40
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Millions will be at stake when the biodiversity initiative is put to the vote on September 22. According to the information published to date, the Swiss Federal Audit Office has been notified of budgets totaling around CHF 5.5 million. These are grants and work contributions.
The pro camp has a slight advantage. The association supporting the biodiversity initiative has a budget of around 3.3 million francs, as it announced on Monday.
A large part of this sum, namely around CHF 1.75 million in grants and contributions in kind, is provided by the environmental organization Pro Natura, as can be seen on the website of the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO). Contributions are also made by the Swiss Heritage Society, the Foundation for Landscape Conservation and Birdlife Switzerland.
In addition, 1.1 million francs were collected in private donations, writes the initiative's sponsoring association. It is particularly pleasing that thousands of small donors supported the campaign for the initiative, with an average of 65 francs per head.
The Swiss Farmers' Union - which is campaigning against the initiative - has set aside around CHF 2.1 million for the No campaign. According to the information published so far, the farmers are receiving financial support from several associations and organizations.
These include Schweizer Zucker AG, the Association of Swiss Potato Producers, Swiss Granum, Suisseporcs, the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (VSE), Swiss Milk Producers, the Swiss Fruit Association, Gallosuisse and the Swiss Agricultural Machinery Association.
The Zurich Farmers' Association is campaigning against the initiative with a separate budget. According to the information published, it has set aside CHF 69,000 for the counter-campaign.
However, the deadline for publishing the voting budgets is still August 23.
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