What is the economic value of the Swiss bee? For the first time, scientists have put a figure on their important work transporting pollen between flowering plants.
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swissinfo.ch with agencies/ug
Experts at the government’s agriculture research centre, Agroscope, have calculated that the work of Swiss bees is worth CHF350 million ($365 million) annually.
To come up with this figure, they analysed Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) statistics giving the percentage of crops and plants pollinated by bees, and compared them with Swiss crops. These included fruit trees, berries, high-quality sunflowers, rape seed and fava beans.
According to Agroscope, 14% of Swiss farm land is dependent on pollination by bees.
Agroscope researcher Louis Sutter is calling for more habitats and hives that allow bees to develop and get through winter.
Record organ donation in Switzerland despite high rejection rates
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More organ donations were recorded in Switzerland in 2023 than ever before. This was despite a high rejection rate of 58% by surviving relatives.
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Seven years after the death of record-breaking Swiss mountain climber Ueli Steck, his estate is going to the Alpine Museum of Switzerland in Bern.
Swiss justice minister hopes EU reform will reduce irregular migration
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The European Union’s (EU) New Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to curb irregular migration within Schengen, Justice Minister Beat Jans said on Tuesday.
Swiss electricity supply outlook positive despite uncertainties
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Thanks to well-filled gas stores in Europe and increased availability of French nuclear power, the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission is optimistic.
Finance minister wants Swiss banks to hold more equity
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Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter has repeated calls for banks and their holdings in subsidiaries abroad to hold more equity.
Telecoms sector kept Swiss competitions regulator busy in 2023
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Last year, the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) conducted 27 investigations and initiated 17 preliminary investigations.
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Although Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved higher revenue at the start of the year, it suffered a dip in profits.
40,000 signatures against animal testing in Switzerland
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Switzerland should do away with “restrictive” animal testing and should become a model for innovative, effective, and pain-free scientific research.
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