Switzerland has become the first country in Europe to allow the use of drones to spray plants and crops.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/dos
The authorisation was requested by the Agroscope instituteExternal link – a government agricultural research body – and granted by the Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA) on Thursday.
Agroscope argued that drones are a useful alternative to noisy and inaccurate helicopters when it comes to the spraying of phytosanitary products. Drones, they say, can fly lower and with more precision, thus avoiding wastage or misdirected spray.
Tests were conducted to establish procedures whereby airspace security, precision methods for spraying, and environmental norms were respected, Agroscope said.
The rules laid out by FOCA say that drones will only be authorised if shown to be able to follow an automatic flight trajectory over a certain distance with maximum variations of 50 cm.
Such drones will also undergo tests every three years to determine they meet OFAC standards.
Drone nation
Over 100,000 drones are estimated to have been bought by amateurs in Switzerland in recent years. Regulations have remained largely liberal, and FOCA’s website says that drones weighing less than 30 kilograms may still be operated without a permitExternal link, under certain conditions.
However, authorities are mulling a system that would require all drones over 250g to be registered, which may enter into force next year.
More
More
Welcome to the Drone Valley
This content was published on
Switzerland’s “Drone Valley” is home to 80 startups in the field. What are the factors driving their success? And how can we avoid chaos in the skies?
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Swiss army suspends 300-million-euro project for airspace surveillance
This content was published on
The army has suspended the project for two systems for airspace surveillance and fighter jet guidance for months. Parliament approved almost 320 million francs for "Skyview". The reason for the suspension is problems with the integration of the system.
Murdered student: Paris asks Bern to extradite suspect
This content was published on
On Wednesday, France submitted an extradition request to the Swiss authorities for the man suspected of murdering Philippine. This was announced Thursday morning by the French Minister of Justice, Didier Migaud, on BFMTV.
Swiss bearded vulture rare win amid global wildlife catastrophe
This content was published on
The reintroduction of bearded vultures in Switzerland is a rare bright spot amid a global wildlife catastrophe in the last 50 years.
This content was published on
The Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) is embarking on a new stage to confront the global public with the scientific challenges of the future.
This content was published on
Valais initially had clearance to shoot one wolf pack, but this has been extended after wolves were found to have killed livestock.
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.
Read more
More
Swiss Post refines safety processes after drone crash
This content was published on
An interim report into the most recent Swiss Post drone crash has recommended safety improvements. Swiss Post has already reacted.
How Switzerland and the US are preparing for a drone future
This content was published on
Francesco Bortoluzzi of the swissnex network explains how the US and Switzerland have been collaborating on drone regulation.
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.