In Switzerland, the agricultural sector is active to continue to participate in the food supply in this exceptional situation. Faced with the risk of a labor shortage, the Swiss Farmers’ Union (USP) is seeking solutions with the federal authorities.
“It is essential to guarantee the availability of a sufficient workforce,” the USP said in a statement on Saturday. However, many foreign seasonal workers cannot or no longer want to come to Switzerland, notes the agricultural umbrella.
The USP tries with its member organizations and the federal authorities to offer at least to those who can and want to come to work the possibility of entering the territory. The USP also offers a placement platform that allows farms to post their job offers there.
This platform will also allow those banned from working in their sector to register there if they wish to resume an activity. The site will launch nationwide next week.
At the farm
The USP also continues to clarify the issue of markets. For the moment, only direct sales are allowed in a farm store located on a farm. Farmers selling directly can take advantage of the free platform On the farm.ch to increase their visibility.
At the financial level, the Federal Office for Agriculture and the cantons are examining whether a first installment of direct payments could be paid quickly. Interest-free operating aid loans are also possible. (ats / nxp)
Created: 03/21.2020, 11:03 am
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