Switzerland allocates 71.5 million francs for forest and agriculture relief

The Swiss Federal Council has announced additional funding to support the forestry and agricultural sectors following an exceptional summer of heat and drought. The government has proposed allocating 17.5 million francs to increase the forest credit for 2027, with provisions for the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (UVEK) to request similar annual amounts starting in 2028.

Additionally, a one-time increase of 54 million francs will be provided in 2026 to assist agricultural businesses in overcoming liquidity shortages caused by the dry conditions. These interest-free loans aim to mitigate the economic impact of the weather on farmers.

The government plans to conduct a further situation analysis by the end of October to determine if more measures are necessary. Potential future actions include the implementation of nationwide heat maps and evaluations regarding public health and animal welfare.