Bern adopts a “lax approach” with pesticides

An employee is preparing an insecticide used to protect fruits and vegetables.Image: Keystone

Bern should allow pesticides more quickly and more easily. Consequently, And this, despite reserves of environmental protection organizations and drinking water distributors.

Lea Hartmann / ch media

Some farmers have long complained of having fewer and fewer pesticides to protect their crops. Consequently, Indeed, dangerous substances are removed from the market, without authorizing another product. In addition, But the Confederation now wishes to accelerate things by aligning bern adopts “lax approach” pesticides its authorization procedure more on that of the European Union. For example, The new rules will come into force in December.

If a phytosanitary product is already allowed in a nearby country. Moreover, the manufacturer will now be able to request a simplified authorization. However, So the Swiss authorities no longer carry out their own controls, but rely on those of their neighbors. Similarly, They only intervene when Switzerland applies stricter rules, for example in terms of water protection.

Very low taxes in Switzerland – Bern adopts "lax approach" pesticides

In the future, manufacturers will also have to pay more. They are currently paying a maximum tax of 2,500 francs. This amount may reach 20,000 francs, an average cost coverage of 15%. Berne wanted to ask up to 100,000 francs, but chemical companies opposed it bern adopts “lax approach” pesticides and obtained the case.

Environmental associations had required that manufacturers will pay all the costs incurred by the. Confederation for the examination of authorization requests.

Hundreds of files accumulate. it would take more civil servants to treat them more quickly, but it has a cost. In comparison with foreigners, taxes are low in our country. This is more heavily affected by taxpayers. In Germany, taxes can reach 250,000 euros.

Critics of water distributors

In Parliament, today we redouble their efforts to soften the procedure for pesticides. Products authorized in the Netherlands and Belgium should also be more easily recognized in Swiss territory. Apart from environmental protection organizations, several cantons also warn against this development. Because this would amount to allowing more pesticides in bern adopts “lax approach” pesticides Switzerland than in neighboring states.

Many voices describe this simplification of the freshly acted procedure, especially among water distributors. These changes include the risk of recourse to pesticides in certain regions, without having properly evaluated the potential risks. The association for water. gas and heat declared in 2024 during a position:

Member of the Environmental Alliance, including WWF and Pro Natura, Eva Goldmann criticizes the Confederation for setting poor priorities:

For his part, Bern claims that the security and efficiency requirements of pesticides “remain at the same level”.

(Adaptation in French: Valentine Zenker)

Air conditioning, essential in summer, can also promote certain health problems. Here is what you need to know to limit the risks.

Can we get sick because of air conditioning? Under normal operating conditions, no. But if an air conditioning system is poorly maintained or defective, the health consequences can be serious.