Federal Council approves 70 million francs to address consequences of heat and drought

The loans are intended primarily to reach holdings that have run into financial difficulties due to a lack of fodder, lower yields or the need to purchase additional water and feed. The interest-free loans are designed to bridge the period until regular compensation payments and the following year's harvest revenues become available.

In parallel with the immediate aid, the Federal Council has also announced longer-term steps. From 2027 onwards, an additional 17.5 million francs per year are to be available for climate adaptation of forests. This is intended to accelerate the conversion of forests towards more climate-resistant tree species and to improve irrigation during dry periods.

Long-term climate adaptation of forests

The Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications described the combination of short-term liquidity assistance and long-term adaptation measures as a coordinated response to this year's weather extremes. Better preparedness for future hot summers is also part of the strategy, according to the department.

Reactions from the agricultural sector have been cautiously positive. Industry representatives acknowledge the swift provision of funds but demand that disbursement take place without bureaucratic hurdles. Individual cantons had already announced their own aid programmes in recent weeks; the federal decision is now intended to create a coordinated basis.

Reactions and next steps

Further details on the concrete implementation, the application deadlines for the loans and the modalities for the forest funds are to be communicated by the Federal Council in the coming weeks. There are also plans for review mandates to clarify how Switzerland can equip itself against longer heat and drought phases in the future.

With its decision, the Federal Council links the immediate agricultural aid and forest adaptation. According to UVEK, this sends a signal that the consequences of climate change must not only be tackled once damage has already occurred. Switzerland was affected by less severe extremes in international comparison, as SRF noted with reference to the situation in France; a spokesperson commented: "Die Schweiz wurde von einem ähnlichen Horror verschont, dank Glück und der beeindruckenden Disziplin."