Agriculture Act (AgricA)
Amended by No I of the FA of 16 June 2023, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 623; BBl 2020 3955).
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Chapter 1 Support for Farmers
Inserted by No I of the FA of 20 June 2003, in force since 1 Jan. 2004 (AS 2003 4217; BBl 2002 4721, 7234).
Art. 78 Basic principle
1 The Confederation may provide funds to the cantonal authorities for support for farmers. 2 The cantonal authorities may grant farmers support for their farm in order to alleviate or prevent financial hardship incurred through no fault of their own or due to changed economic circumstances. 3 Intervention through federal funding is conditional on appropriate financial participation by the cantonal authorities. Any contribution from third parties shall be taken into account.
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).
Art. 79 Granting of support to farmers
1 The cantonal authorities grant support to farmers in the form of an interest-free loan in order to: a. restructure existing debts to reduce the interest payable; b. temporarily alleviate exceptional financial liabilities. 1bis Farmers may also be granted support in the case of a farmer giving up his or her farm in order to convert existing loans or mandatory amortisation into an interest-free loan insofar as the debt is serviceable after such a loan has been granted. 2 The loans are granted based on a ruling for a maximum of 20 years. 3 If the loan is secured by a mortgage, the order from the authorities granting the loan may replace the public deed containing the mortgage agreement.
Para. 1bis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, in force since 1 Jan. 2008 (AS 2007 6095; BBl 2006 6337). Para. 3 — Inserted by No I of the FA of 20 June 2003, in force since 1 Jan. 2004 (AS 2003 4217; BBl 2002 4721, 7234).
Art. 80 Requirements
1 As a rule, loans to support farmers under the terms of Article 79 paragraph 1 are granted if the following requirements are met: a. the farm must provide a living in the longer term, if necessary with a second income from outside the agricultural sector, and require an appropriate and at least a normal amount of labour; b. the farm is being run on an efficient basis; c. the level of debt after a loan has been granted is serviceable. 2 In order to ensure land-use or a sufficient population density, the Federal Council may set a lower level of labour than that indicated in paragraph 1 letter a for farms in upland and mountain areas. 3 The Federal Council may stipulate further requirements and obligations.
Para. 1 — Amended by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, in force since 1 Jan. 2008 (AS 2007 6095; BBl 2006 6337). Para. 1 let. a — Amended by No I of the FA of 20 June 2003, in force since 1 Jan. 2004 (AS 2003 4217; BBl 2002 4721, 7234). Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 20 June 2003, in force since 1 Jan. 2004 (AS 2003 4217; BBl 2002 4721, 7234).
Art. 81 Approval by the FOAG
1 If a single loan or a loan combined with the balance of earlier loans to support farmers and investment loans exceeds a certain amount (limit), the cantonal authorities shall ask for the approval of the FOAG. The Federal Council sets the limit. 2 The FOAG shall inform the cantonal authorities within 30 days whether it approves of the decision taken or whether it will take a decision itself. Before taking a decision, it shall consult the cantonal authorities.
Art. 82 Repayment in the case of a profit on a sale
If a farm or part of a farm is sold at a profit, the outstanding balance on the loan must be repaid.
Art. 82 — Amended by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, in force since 1 Jan. 2008 (AS 2007 6095; BBl 2006 6337).
Art. 83 Calling in the loan
The cantonal authorities may call in the loan if it has good reason to do so.
Art. 84 Administrative costs
1 The cantonal authorities are liable for administrative costs. 2 They may not charge for expenses.
Art. 85 Appropriation of repaid debts and interest
1 Money repaid on loans is used by the cantonal authorities for new loans to farmers. 2 Interest paid is used, in the following order, for: a. covering administrative costs; b. covering losses incurred in granting loans; c. further loans to farmers. 3 If the amounts repaid and interest accruing to the cantonal authorities exceed the amount required, the FOAG may: a. claim the Confederation’s share back and pass it on to another canton; or b. make the Confederation’s share of unused funds available to the canton for investment loans.
Para. 3 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).
Art. 86 Losses
1 The cantonal authorities shall be liable for losses accruing from granting loans that exceed the limit indicated in Article 81, including any legal costs, insofar as such losses are not covered through interest. 2 The Confederation and the cantonal authorities are liable in proportion to their share of the loan for any losses and legal costs accruing from granting loans that were approved by the FOAG under the terms of Article 81, insofar as such losses are not covered through interest.
Chapter 2 Support for Re-Training
Inserted by No I of the FA of 20 June 2003, in force since 1 Jan. 2004 (AS 2003 4217; BBl 2002 4721, 7234).
Art. 86a
1 The Confederation may provide support for self-employed farmers or their partners for re-training in a non-agricultural trade or profession. 2 Such support is conditional on the cessation of farming. The Federal Council may stipulate further requirements and obligations. 3 Support for re-training shall be provided until the end of 2019 at the latest.
Para. 3 — Amended by No I of the FA of 22 March 2013, in force since 1 Jan. 2014 (AS 2013 3463, 3863; BBl 2012 2075).
Chapter 3 Subsidies to Reduce Premiums on Crop Ins
Inserted by No I of the FA of 16 June 2023, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 623; BBl 2020 3955).
Art. 86b
1 The Confederation may provide subsidies to reduce the premiums on private-sector crop insurance policies, provided the insurance policy covers large-scale risks such as drought and frost. 2 The subsidies shall be granted to the insured farmers. The Confederation shall pay the subsidy to the insurer with which the farmers are insured. The insurer shall use the subsidies solely for the purpose of reducing the insurance premiums. 3 The federal subsidy shall amount to 30 per cent of the premium. 4 The Federal Council shall stipulate the requirements and obligations for the provision of subsidies, their amount and the minimum excess for the insured party. 5 If risks are insurable under the subsidised crop insurance policies, other forms of federal support for loss compensation are excluded.