BERN - Farm union leaders reacted late Tuesday after the Council of States approved the EFTA-Mercosur agreement 35 to 7 and attached CHF 517 million in agricultural support for 2028 to 2033. They called the money a bridge that still ends in more South American beef and wine on Swiss shelves. Export groups called the same vote a return to sense after June's no in the large chamber.
Green and Social Democratic speakers in the Senate had already said they would fight the text again in the National Council. Union offices said they would help fill that fight.
A rural Sunday still to come
The food-security initiative on 27 September asks a different question about how much Switzerland should grow at home. Our Senate story is here. The food-security polls are here.