Food Initiative
On 27 September 2026, Swiss citizens will vote on the Federal Popular Initiative ‘For food security – through increased sustainable domestic production, more plant-based food and clean drinking water (Food Initiative)’.
The initiative in brief
Switzerland’s population should have access to sufficient quantities of high-quality and affordable food at all times. To achieve this, the federal government must create the appropriate framework. This mandate is enshrined in the Federal Constitution. At present, Swiss agriculture meets just under half of the country’s food requirements; the rest is imported. To protect the environment, biodiversity and drinking water, the Swiss agricultural sector must comply with a number of requirements.
The food initiative wants Switzerland to produce significantly more of its own food. The aim is to make Switzerland less dependent on other countries. In future, at least 70 per cent of the food consumed in Switzerland should be produced domestically. This requires the Swiss agricultural sector to produce fewer animal-based foods and more plant-based foods. This way, more people can be fed using the same amount of land. In addition, the initiative aims to better protect the environment and drinking water, and to preserve soil fertility and biodiversity. Farmers should use fewer plant protection products and fertilisers. The aim is to achieve these targets within ten years of the initiative being adopted.
Federal Council explanations
On the German, French, Italian and Romansh pages, the official explanations of the Federal Council are available in PDF format.
