Cabinet calls for GMO-free agriculture
The government has come out in favour of extending a ban on genetically modified organisms (GMO) in agriculture until 2013.
Voters approved a five-year blanket ban in a nationwide ballot in 2005, but research remains permitted. Parliament is to debate the government proposal.
The Federal Environment Office said the current moratorium had had no adverse impact on farming or research in Switzerland, and Swiss agriculture could benefit from its GMO-free status.
Results of a national research programme into genetically modified plants are expected by 2012.
Leading farmers' organisations, environmental and consumer groups support the government's policy on GMOs, according to the authorities.
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
Contributions under this article have been turned off. You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.