"Biodiversity concerns us all"

Anne Challandes is a farmer and lawyer, has been president of the Swiss Farmers' and Rural Women's Association for five years running and has now been on the Board of Trustees of FiBL Switzerland for three years. Together with her husband, she runs an organic farm in the Neuchâtel Jura. She campaigned against the biodiversity initiative, which the Swiss voted on this autumn, and explains here why she does not want this position to be understood as a vote against biodiversity.

Biodiversity is of the utmost importance for agriculture. This principle is accepted by everyone. The "no" to the biodiversity initiative was, therefore, not a "no" to biodiversity itself. Swiss farming families already dedicate 19 per cent of the land on their farms to biodiversity, which is well above the legal minimum of 7 per cent. 

Biodiversity is already enshrined in the constitution

The majority of these dedicated areas on farms are of high biodiversity quality, and 80 per cent are already part of connectivity projects. In addition, there are over 200,000 hectares of species-rich grassland in the summering areas. Biodiversity also includes the cultivation of many different plant species, the rearing of different animal breeds and the cultivation of different varieties, for example, wheat or potatoes. Thanks to this genetic diversity, food production is more resistant to climatic influences, new pests and diseases. 

In addition to these considerations, which are based on agricultural realities, I am also happy to share the thoughts of a lawyer on the biodiversity initiative, namely that the Federal Constitution is the founding act of our country (the instrument of the popular initiative is used in Switzerland to vote on the inclusion of a new provision in the Federal Constitution, editor's note). It is - or should be - a text that only lays down principles and guidelines, which are then defined in the federal laws and down to the last detail in the implementing ordinances. However, the protection of natural resources and thus also of biodiversity is already enshrined in the Federal Constitution. It is supplemented by various laws, a national strategy and a national action plan. If there are gaps, these must be identified and rectified during implementation.  

Biodiversity is needed everywhere

Because biodiversity concerns us all, concern should not stop at the boundaries of farmers' fields. It should also be an integral part of infrastructure and settlement areas. It would contribute many positive elements there, including in the fight against heat islands and in bringing the urban population closer to nature. There is still a lot to do here too. It is not enough to simply sit back and let agriculture alone take responsibility. Although agriculture plays an important role, it cannot save biodiversity on its own.

Pursuant to the advice of biologists and other experts, agriculture is already actively involved. In addition, farmers have declared their willingness to make further improvements to the areas already dedicated to biodiversity. To this end, it is necessary to identify effective, targeted measures that are adapted to local conditions and needs, but also to the possibilities. It is important to define measures that are realistic and do not create new conflicts of objectives.

Conflicting objectives for farms

Finally, I ask myself questions about the numerous conflicts of objectives that are left to the farming families alone to resolve. These are not only those that arise, for example, between environmental protection (emissions) and animal welfare (regular exercise). They can also arise specifically in the area of biodiversity protection: for example, are all proposed or even prescribed measures really free the farm of undesirable ‘side effects’? Can they be implemented in the same way everywhere, and do they have the same positive effects everywhere? Are they coherent?

As I often say: "Agriculture is complex". In my view, it is too complex to leave room for ideology and impractical regulations. Thanks to its direct link to practice and its strongly practice-orientated research, FiBL is an ideal partner for finding solutions - not only for this topic, but for all others related to the numerous challenges of agricultural production. This is in the spirit of applied and practised sustainability, from which everyone benefits, especially farming families. It is about maintaining sustainable agriculture and a sustainable food system in our country.