Experts push for healthier and cleaner Swiss food chain
Is it sundown for cows and carnivores? Not likely, but habits will change by 2050.
Keystone / A3542/_karl-josef Hildenbrand
Less packaging, less meat, more sustainable production chains: a six-year study looking at how to feed Switzerland over the next decades has presented its findings.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/dos
Português
pt
Especialistas exigem uma cadeia alimentar suíça mais saudável e ecológica
The national research programme “Healthy food and sustainable food productionExternal link” involved 26 projects between 2013 and 2019. Its findings, presented in Bern on Thursday, sketch an outline for how food habits should change between now and 2050.
The researchers grouped their recommendations around four main themes.
Firstly, waste needs to be reduced, they say. This would involve moving away from packaging designed around aesthetic rather than sustainable goals, as well as developing new forms of “intelligent packaging” that could give an indication of how fresh the food still is.
But because half of Switzerland’s food comes from beyond its borders, where packaging standards are different, the researchers say that the best way is still to avoid wastage.
Convincing the population
Secondly, meat consumption should be decreased, and the agriculture sector reformed. Less meat can improve both consumer health and the environment, the researchers say. But it would also lead to problems for many farmers. They need to be helped – notably with subsidies – to transition towards an agriculture more focused on fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
Thirdly, consumers should be more involved. Without their buy-in, such a transition is not possible, the researchers say. Therefore, a greater role for consumer associations would be good – including more possibilities to launch collective action cases.
Finally, the fourth point looks at health and healthy food, which the researchers say should be promoted at all stages of the supply chain. They thus offer recommendations on pollution, best practices in canteens, and advice to individuals on illness and weight management.
The outcome of the project will feed into federal policymaking in the coming years, but it may have more trouble convincing the population: in 2017, two proposals for more food sovereignty and “fairer food” were rejected by Swiss voters.
More
More
Ethical food proposals brushed off the table
This content was published on
Swiss voters have snubbed proposals to improve food quality and protect local farming but agriculture issues remain high on the political agenda.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Porrentruy mayor comments on Swiss pool ban controversy
This content was published on
The mayor of the Swiss town of Porrentruy, which has been in the headlines in neighbouring France after restricting access to a pool to locals after a spate of anti-social behaviour, says he has received much support in recent days.
Swiss universities to release multilingual AI programme
This content was published on
This summer researchers at Swiss universities will make available a large language model (LLM), an AI programme trained on vast amounts of data, developed on public infrastructure.
This content was published on
After a one-year test phase, Zurich's cantonal police are introducing an online police station. Demand is high and the response from the public has been positive.
This content was published on
The chic resort of St Moritz in southeastern Switzerland has registered "summer" as a trademark under the name "St Summer". The resort in canton Graubünden is launching a campaign to strengthen its summer business.
Swiss authorities detail progress on station access for people with reduced mobility
This content was published on
The Federal Office of Transport (FOT) said on Wednesday that 43 stations had been adapted for people with reduced mobility last year. The vast majority of rail travellers (82%) now benefit from easier access to stations, it says.
This content was published on
The prices of homes and apartments in Switzerland rose again in June. In the Lake Geneva region, prices of detached houses rose sharply. Meanwhile, in Zurich and its surrounding region the opposite trend was observed.
Crowded airports expected in Switzerland this summer
This content was published on
Switzerland's main airports are preparing for a busy summer holiday period. A number of changes have been introduced to improve passenger flows that are expected to be well above average in July and August.
Zurich police arrest 38 football and hockey fans after violent incidents
This content was published on
Zurich police have investigated 48 cases of fan violence at stadiums in the Swiss city since last autumn and arrested a total of 38 people, Swiss public television, SRF, reports.
Cashflow problems affect UN Human Rights Council activities
This content was published on
Certain activities of the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council cannot be carried out in 2025-2026 due of the ongoing cash crisis affecting the UN.
Plaintiffs take Khaled Nezzar case to European Court of Human Rights
This content was published on
Two plaintiffs in a serious war crimes case against former Algerian Defence Minister Khaled Nezzar have filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights.
Radical change for Swiss agricultural policy goes to vote
This content was published on
A leftwing initiative wants farmers to provide food produced in a sustainable way: The radical proposals will come to a vote on September 23.
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.