The Swiss Pursuit of Environmental Sustainability in Farming

Summary Switzerland introduced results‐based payment schemes for farmers at an early stage, specifically in the area of biodiversity. When an ecological focus area (e.g. extensive meadow) reaches a certain level of plant species diversity, it receives more monetary reimbursements. However, most subsidies in Switzerland are still paid out based on specific measures. This paper provides an overview of innovative elements of Swiss agricultural policy that contain, in addition to results‐based biodiversity payments, payments for ecological networks and for landscape amenities. Pilot projects in which various results‐based payments are currently being tested are also presented. However, a fundamental change to the Swiss direct payment system and agricultural policy in general seems difficult to achieve. For example, in recent years Swiss voters have rejected several political initiatives that aimed to achieve a more environmentally friendly agricultural policy.