Switzerland's Safe Food Initiative Backers Accuse Government of Misleading Voters

Supporters of Switzerland’s Safe Food initiative filed an appeal with the canton of Bern, led by environmental campaigner Franziska Herren, alleging that the Federal Council and Federal Chancellery misrepresented the proposal in the official voting booklet for the September 27 referendum. The appeal claims the government presented the constitutional amendment’s goal of raising net food self‑sufficiency to at least 70 % within ten years as a legally binding obligation, whereas the authors describe it as an aspirational target.

The initiative, which seeks to increase Switzerland’s food self‑sufficiency, has faced broad political opposition, with no party supporting it during parliamentary debate. Critics label it “vegan dogma” and warn it could lead to extensive state interference in food choices. The government also disputes the environmental benefits, arguing that reducing domestic livestock could shift environmental impacts abroad. Backers demand a correction of the alleged misinformation, a postponement of the vote, and, if unresolved, plan to seek annulment of the referendum result.