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The idea that Swiss supermarkets would be flooded with American meat imports is exaggerated, says Michel Darbellay, deputy director of the Swiss Farmers’ Union. <\/p>\n
Keystone \/ Christian Beutler <\/p>\n
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The recent US tariff rate cut to 15% and the details of the framework trade agreement with Washington have raised questions about the consequences for the Swiss agricultural sector. But a senior Swiss Farmers\u2019 Union official plays down the impact of the deal.\n<\/p>\n
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November 16, 2025 – 11:23\n<\/p>\n
+Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox<\/a><\/p>\n The agreement announced on Friday between Switzerland and the US to slash tariffs on imported Swiss products to 15% from 39% will allow Switzerland to import more American meat.<\/p>\n Reacting to the news, Green Party leader Lisa Mazzone declared that \u201cthe Swiss economic elite and the Federal Council are bowing down to Donald Trump\u201d and that Swiss agriculture, along with consumer interests, had been sacrificed.<\/p>\n Pierre-Andr\u00e9 Page, a farmer and Swiss People\u2019s Party parliamentarian, told Swiss public television RTS: \u201cI am not worried about this deal; it is an important contract for Gruy\u00e8re cheese production. On my farm we produce Gruy\u00e8re and exports are significant. With the reduction of taxes from 39% to 15%, it is still a tax, but it is already much better.\u201d<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Foreign Affairs\n <\/p>\n Switzerland secures US tariff rate cut to 15% <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Nov 14, 2025 <\/p>\n The United States will cut its tariffs on goods from Switzerland to 15% from 39% under a new framework trade agreement. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Switzerland secures US tariff rate cut to 15% Sense of relief<\/p>\n Michel Darbellay, deputy director of the Swiss Farmers\u2019 Union, says it\u2019s important to underline the sense of relief following this agreement. \u201cIt\u2019s a relief first for the dairy market, for cheese exports, but also for Swiss chocolate. We know that the dairy market is currently facing difficulties, and it\u2019s also important to have these outlets in the United States. Today, the dairy sector has invested to maintain its presence on US shelves, and it\u2019s essential that we can maintain this market and this export potential,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n While acknowledging certain concerns over US meat imports, he cautioned: \u201cIf things are done fairly, that is to say within the framework of import quotas, we can view things rather calmly.\u201d<\/p>\n Meat concerns<\/p>\n The Swiss concessions cover 3,000 tons of US meat, including 500 tons of beef, 1,000 tons of bison, and 1,500 tons of poultry. These volumes are \u201csignificantly lower than the quantities we import annually,\u201d said Darbellay. By comparison, in 2024, Switzerland imported just over 100,000 tons of meat, primarily from Germany and Austria. Meanwhile, the country produced 450,000 tons of meat domestically.<\/p>\n For the Swiss Farmers\u2019 Union, the key is that these imports remain strictly regulated.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it can be integrated within the framework of the tariff quota, there will be no additional pressure on Swiss agriculture,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Darbellay pointed out that \u201cchlorine-treated chicken is banned\u201d in Switzerland and that the industry will ensure compliance with non-tariff measures. Hormone-treated beef, however, is subject to mandatory declaration.<\/p>\n He said the idea that Swiss supermarkets would be flooded with American meat imports is exaggerated. Most imported chicken today comes from Brazil or Hungary, and consumer preference remains clearly Swiss. \u201cWe have the strictest animal welfare regulations in the world, traceability, and this trust between producer and consumer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Trade policy\n <\/p>\n Lessons from the US-Swiss tariff dispute: when the ends justify the means <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Nov 15, 2025 <\/p>\n Tariff negotiations with the United States have been a steep learning curve for Switzerland and its trade diplomacy \u2014 and an unprecedented rollercoaster ride. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Lessons from the US-Swiss tariff dispute: when the ends justify the means Farmer Daniel Schwager echoed this sentiment. \u201cToday, we produce about 60% of the poultry consumed in Switzerland, and the other 40% is imported. And then, in supermarkets, it\u2019s the consumer who makes the choice between the Swiss product and the imported one,\u201d he told RTS.<\/p>\n While the agreement with Washington is still considered manageable, the global context is more worrying. \u201cYou have to look at the big picture: the agreement with Mercosur, other free trade agreements\u2026 Swiss agriculture is under strong international pressure,\u201d said Darbellay.<\/p>\n In this regard, he says it is \u201cincomprehensible\u201d that the Federal Council is considering cost savings in the agricultural sector, particularly through the 2027 relief programme. The Swiss Farmers\u2019 Union demands that agriculture be exempted from the government\u2019s savings package, especially as new commercial concessions are accumulating.<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Trade policy\n <\/p>\n US tariff rate cut: Swiss press are upbeat but warn of high cost <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Nov 15, 2025 <\/p>\n The Swiss press breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday following the announcement of a deal between Bern and Washington to slash tariffs on imported Swiss products. <\/p>\n![\"Trump](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/28e9edfa49586e26fbb216c980c99717302e7648-90334986.jpg\")
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