Agriculture Act (AgricA)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 1 Aim
The Confederation shall ensure that, through sustainable, market-orientated production, the agricultural sector makes a significant contribution towards: a. the reliable provision of the population with foodstuffs; b. preserving natural resources; c. the upkeep of the countryside; d. encouraging decentralised settlement; e. guaranteeing animal welfare.
let. e — Inserted by No I of the FA of 22 March 2013, in force since 1 Jan. 2014 (AS 2013 3463, 3863; BBl 2012 2075).
Art. 2 Federal measures
1 The Confederation shall take measures, in particular: a. to create favourable conditions for the production and sale of agricultural products; b. to pay for public and ecological services provided by farms through direct subsidies; [tab] bbis. to promote the sustainable use of natural resources and animal and climate friendly production; c. to support the development of agriculture in a socially acceptable manner; d. to support structural improvements; e. to promote research, the exploitation of research findings and advisory services in the agriculture and food sector as well as plant and animal breeding; f. to regulate plant protection and the use of aids to production. 2 These federal measures are conditional on a reasonable degree of self-help and are coordinated with regional policy instruments. 3 They support a joint strategy for quality in agriculture and the food industry. 4 They are based on the principle of self-sufficiency with regard to food, taking into account consumers
Para. 1 let. b — Amended by No I of the FA of 22 March 2013, in force since 1 Jan. 2014 (AS 2013 3463, 3863; BBl 2012 2075). Para. 1 let. tab — Inserted by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007 (AS 2007 6095; BBl 2006 6337). Amended by No I of the FA of 22 March 2013, in force since 1 Jan. 2014 (AS 2013 3463, 3863; BBl 2012 2075). Para. 1 let. e — Amended by No I of the FA of 16 June 2023, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 623; BBl 2020 3955). Para. 1 let. f — Term amended by No I of the FA of 20 Jun
Art. 3 Definition and scope of application
1 The term agriculture includes: a. products from arable and livestock farming; b. the preparation, storage and sale of the corresponding products on the farm; c. the management of areas of near-natural land. 1bis The measures in Parts 5 and 6 apply to agricultural activities. They are conditional on an activity in line with the principle of paragraph 1, letters a–c. 2 The measures in Part 2 Chapter 1 and those indicated in Parts 5 to 7 apply to horticultural businesses. 3 The measures in Part 2 Chapter 1, Part 5 and Part 7 Chapter 4 apply to professional fishing. 3bis The measures in Part 2 Chapter 1, Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7 Chapter 4 apply to aquaculture products, algae, insects and other living organisms that are not products from arable and livestock farming and are used as foodstuffs and feedstuffs. These measures are conditional on an activity in line with the principle of paragraph 1 letters a–c. 4 The measures listed in Part 2 Chapter 1, Part 6 and Part 7 Chapter 2 apply to b
Para. 1bis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 22 March 2013, in force since 1 Jan. 2014 (AS 2013 3463, 3863; BBl 2012 2075). Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, in force since 1 Jan. 2008 (AS 2007 6095; BBl 2006 6337). Para. 3 — Amended by No I of the FA of 16 June 2023, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 623; BBl 2020 3955). Para. 3bis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 16 June 2023, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 623; BBl 2020 3955). Para. 4 — Inserted by No I of the FA of 22
Art. 4 Difficult production and living conditions
1 Difficult production and living conditions, in particular in mountain and upland areas, must be adequately taken into account in the application of this Act. 2 The Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) shall divide all farmed land into zones according to the degree of difficulty and keep a production register. 3 The Federal Council shall set the criteria for determining such zones.
Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 22 March 2013, in force since 1 Jan. 2014 (AS 2013 3463, 3863; BBl 2012 2075).
Art. 5 Incomes
1 The measures in this Act aim to ensure that farms run on a sustainable basis and which are economically efficient can achieve incomes over a period of several years that are comparable to incomes in other sectors in the same region. 2 If incomes fall clearly below a comparable level, the Federal Council shall introduce temporary measures to improve the situation. 3 Other branches of trade and industry, the economic situation of workers outside the agricultural sector and the state of the federal coffers must also be taken into account.
Art. 6 Framework for payments
Funding for the most important areas of activity shall be approved for a maximum period of four years on the basis of a Federal Council dispatch with a simple federal decree.
Art. 6a Nutrient losses
1 The nitrogen and phosphorus losses from agriculture shall be reduced appropriately by 2030 relative to the mean value for the years 2014–2016. 2 The Federal Council shall specify the reduction targets and the method for assessing achievement of these targets. In doing so, it shall also be guided by the aim of eliminating imported artificial fertilisers by promoting the use of nutrients based on indigenous farmyard manure and indigenous biomass, taking due account of ecological and economic constraints. Before setting its requirements, it shall consult the cantons, the sectoral and producer organisations concerned and other stakeholder organisations. It shall determine the reporting requirements. 3 The sectoral and producer organisations concerned and other stakeholder organisations may take the necessary reduction measures and report regularly to the Confederation on the nature and effect of the measures they have taken. 4 The Federal Council may designate the organisations referred
Art. 6a — Inserted by No I 3 of the FA of 19 March 2021 on Reducing the Risks associated with Pesticide Use, in force since 1 Jan. 2023 (AS 2022 263; BBl 2020 6523, 6785).
Art. 6b Reduction of the risks from the use of plant protection products
1 The risks to humans, animals and the environment from the use of plant protection products shall be reduced and the quality of drinking water, surface waters and groundwater shall be improved. 2 The risks to surface waters and to semi-natural habitats and the extent of groundwater contamination must be reduced by 50 per cent by 2027 relative to the mean value for the years 2012−2015. If the risks remain unacceptable, the Federal Council may set a reduction path for the period from 2027. 3 The Federal Council shall specify the indicators for assessing achievement of the values referred to in paragraph 2. These indicators shall take account of the toxicity and the use of the various plant protection products. For this purpose, the Federal Council shall consider data from, among other sources, the information system referred to in Article 165f bis. 4 The Federal Council may define risk reduction values for other risk areas. 5 The sectoral and producer organisations concerned and other s
Art. 6b — Inserted by No I 3 of the FA of 19 March 2021 on Reducing the Risks associated with Pesticide Use, in force since 1 Jan. 2023 (AS 2022 263; BBl 2020 6523, 6785).
Art. 5 Incomes
1 The measures in this Act aim to ensure that farms run on a sustainable basis and which are economically efficient can achieve incomes over a period of several years that are comparable to incomes in other sectors in the same region. 2 If incomes fall clearly below a comparable level, the Federal Council shall introduce temporary measures to improve the situation. 3 Other branches of trade and industry, the economic situation of workers outside the agricultural sector and the state of the federal coffers must also be taken into account.
Art. 6 Framework for payments
Funding for the most important areas of activity shall be approved for a maximum period of four years on the basis of a Federal Council dispatch with a simple federal decree.