G/SCM/N/284/CHE  
 
13 July 2015  
(15-3594)  Page: 1/17  
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  Original: English  
 
  SUBSIDIES 
NEW AND FULL NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE XVI:1 OF THE 
GATT 1994 AND ARTICLE 25 OF THE AGREEMENT ON 
SUBSIDIES AND COUNTERVAILING MEASURES 
SWITZERLAND  
The following communication, dated 30 June 2015, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Switzerland. 
 
_______________ G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 I.
 REGIONAL POLICY .................................................................................................. 3  
1. MEASURES IN APPLICATION OF  REGIONAL POLICY ....................................................... 3  
2. ASSISTANCE FOR MOUNTAIN  AND RURAL AREAS ......................................................... 5  
II. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ....................................................................................... 6  
1. CO2-TAX REFUND TO SPECIF IC INDUSTRY SECTORS .................................................... 6  
III. FORESTRY ............................................................................................................... 7  
1. INDEMNITIES AND FINANC IAL ASSISTANCE ................................................................ 7  
IV. AGRICULT URE ......................................................................................................... 8  
1. HORSES .................................................................................................................. 8  
2. WOOL ..................................................................................................................... 9  
3. EGGS .................................................................................................................... 10 
4. PROTEIN AND FI BRE PLANTS .................................................................................... 11 
5. OIL-SEEDS ............................................................................................................. 12 
6. SUGAR B EET .......................................................................................................... 13 
7. SEEDS ................................................................................................................... 14 
8. FRUIT .................................................................................................................... 15 
9. PROCESSED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS ..................................................................... 16 
 
 
 G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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I. REGIONAL POLICY 
1. MEASURES IN APPLICATION OF REGIONAL POLICY 
1. Title of the programme 
 
Guarantees for investment credits granted under the former law (Federal Law of 6 October 1995, Official Collection of Federal Law 2006 4301). 
 
Tax relief in application of the Regional Policy (since 1 January 2008).  2. Period covered 
 2013-2014.  
3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 
Support of projects of private enterprises aimed at  helping reduce disparities in structurally weak, 
mostly rural regions. 
 4. Background and authority 
 
Guarantees for investment credits  
 
Legal basis: 
 
- Federal Law of 6 October 1995 (former law, Of ficial Collection of Federal Law 2006 4301) 
- Art. 12 of Federal law on regional policy of 6 October 2006 (state as of 1 January 2008) 
 
Authority:  - State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO / Federal Department of Economic Affairs, 
Education and Research EAER 
 Tax relief 
 Legal basis:   
- Art. 12 of the Federal law on regional policy of 6 October 2006 (state as of 1 January 2008). 
- Ordinance of 28 November 2007 on the granting of tax relief in application of regional policy 
(state as of 1 January 2008). 
- Ordinance of 28 November 2007 on the determination of the areas of application of tax relief 
(state as of 1 January 2008). 
 Authority: 
 
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO / Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER. 
 
5. Form of the subsidy 
 Guarantees for investment credits granted under the former Law (Federal Law of 6 October 1995, 
Official Collection of Federal Law 2006 4301) for maximal duration of eight years. They will 
foreseeably expire about 2015-2016.  
Partial or full tax reliefs granted in application of the federal law on regional policy of 
6 October 2006 for a maximum duration of ten years.  G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 
Both guarantees for investment credits (under the former law) and tax reliefs (under the law of regional policy) are granted to manufacturing comp anies and to services companies with activities 
closely linked to the manufacturing process. The project has to be innovative (the product and the 
manufacturing process have to be technologically up-to-date), create or maintain jobs and be situated in a structurally weak area. 
 
Areas considered as economically less developed are those where:  
a. A particular need for structural adaptation exists in consequence of an evolution of the 
population lower than that of the whole country, a level of incomes definitely lower than 
the national average and a proportion of indust rial activities higher than the average;  
b. The average unemployment exceeds the national average; 
c. The trend in the number of jobs has been markedly less favourable than the national 
average; or 
d. There are clear indications that at least one of the situations mentioned above will occur 
shortly, in particular that the prospects for the most important sectors of the economy 
and for the largest firms are unfavourable. 
7. Unit amount of the subsidy or, where this is not possible, total amount or budgeted annual 
amount of the subsidy 
 
Guarantees for investment credits 
 
In 2013 and 2014, the Confederation did not suffer any losses on guaranteed loans granted under 
the former law (Federal Law of 6 October 1995). The federal commitments as a whole amounted to CHF 10.4 million at year end 2013 and CHF 5.4 million at year end 2014. 
 
Tax relief 
 The overall volume of foregone tax amounts to approximately CHF 14.8 million per year (average 
2008 – 2011). The figures for 2012 to 2014 are not yet available.  
 8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other deadline connected with the subsidy 
 Guarantees for investment credits 
 
The Federal Law of 6 October 1995 (Official Collection of Federal law 2006 4301) was abrogated 
on 31 December 2007. Thus the maximum duration of the guarantee is eight years, that is, the 
last guarantees will expire about 2015-2016.  
Tax relief 
 
The Federal law on regional policy of 6 October 2006 remains in force indefinitely. 
 
The tax reliefs are granted for a maximum duration of ten years.  
9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 
Guarantees for investment credits 
 
The effect of the assistance programme on trade is negligible, if not non-existent. 
 Tax relief 
 In the period 2008 to 2014, 107 projects were granted full or partial tax relief, i.e. 15 projects per 
year on average. 
 G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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2. ASSISTANCE FOR MOUNTAIN AND RURAL AREAS 
1. Title of the programme 
 
Surety and contributions to interest-servicing in mountain and rural areas. 
 2. Period covered 
 2013 and 2014.  3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 The programme is aimed at providing long and me dium term capital loans to small and medium-
sized establishments situated in mountain and rural areas. 
 
4. Background and authority 
 
This financial assistance is based on the Federal Law encouraging credit guarantees and on loan 
service contributions in mountain and rural areas (SR 901.2) of 25 June 1976. These areas are defined in the Federal ordinance of 28 November 2007 concerning regional policy (SR 901.021).  
5. Form of the subsidy 
 
The Confederation encourages the grant of sureti es by giving subsidies to the Swiss Guarantee 
Cooperative for the Arts and Crafts and by making interest-servicing contributions. The subsidy 
does not relate to a specific product or sector.  
6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 
The programme applies to sureties and interest-servicing contributions for small- and medium-sized enterprises which are profitable or likely to develop, whether existing or to be created. 
Payments are made only to establishments whic h are not already supported by the Confederation 
in some other way.  
7. Unit amount of the subsidy or, where this is not possible, total amount or budgeted annual 
amount of the subsidy 
 The Confederation's total share of the losses on guaranteed loans was CHF 0.4 million in 2013 and 
CHF 0.1 million in 2014, with federal commitments as a whole amounting to CHF 5.3 million at 
year end 2013 and CHF 4.1 million at year end 2014.  
The contributions to interest servicing paid out totalled CHF 0.1 million in 2013 and CHF 0.1 million 
in 2014.   
8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other deadline connected with the subsidy 
 
The assistance programme for mountain and rural areas remains in force indefinitely. 
 
9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 The effect of the subsidy on trade is insignificant, if not non-existent. 
 
  G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  II. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY 
1. CO2-TAX REFUND TO SPECIFIC INDUSTRY SECTORS 
1. Title of the programme 
 
Refund of the CO2 levy (Art. 31 of Federal Act on  the Reduction of CO2 Emissions (CO2 Act) of 
23 December 2011.  
2. Period covered 
 
2013-2014.  
3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 
The refund of the CO2 levy aims to avoid an  undesirable worsening of the companies' 
competitiveness. 
 4. Background and authority 
 
Background 
 CO2 levy on heating and process fuels was introduced as of January 2008 at an initial rate of 
CHF 12 per tonne of CO2. It was increased to CHF 36 per tonne CO2 on 1 January 2010 and to 
CHF 60 per tonne of CO2 on 1 January 2014. Further increases are possible in 2016 and 2018, depending on CO2 emissions reduction targets triggering the increase. The CO2 Act sets the 
maximum levy at CHF 120 per tonne of CO2
. 
 
The CO2 Act provides for the exemptions from the CO2 levy of energy intensive industries either 
participating in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) or committing to emission reductions (nonETS). 
 
- ETS: Introduced in 2008, enlarged and aligned with the EU-ETS for the period 2013-2020. 
Large, greenhouse gas-intensive companies are required to participate in ETS, while 
medium-sized companies may voluntarily participate. The companies that are included in the 
ETS are exempted from the CO2 levy. CO2 levy exemptions of mandatory ETS companies are not included in levy refunds listed below. 
 
- nonETS: Companies of certain sectors which are particularly affected by the CO2 levy, may 
apply for exemption from the CO2 levy, provided the company commits to emission reductions. The relevant sectors of the economy are referred to in Annex 7 of the CO2 
Ordinance. For further information see:  
http://www.bafu.admin.ch/klima/1387 7/14510/14750/inde x.html?lang=en  
 
Legal basis 
 
- Federal Act on the Reduction of CO2 Emissions (CO2 Act) of 23 December 2011 (state as of 
1st January 2013). https://www.admin.ch/o pc/en/classified-
compilation/20091310/index.html  
- Ordinance for the Reduction of CO2 Emissions CO2 Ordinance) of 30 November 2012 (state 
as of 1st May 2015). https://www.admin.ch/o pc/en/classified-
compilation/20120090/index.html  
 
Authority 
 - Federal Office for the Environment FOEN / Federal Department of the Environment, 
Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC  
- Swiss Custom Administration SCA / Federal Department of Finance FDF 
 5. Form of the subsidy 
 
Refund of CO2 levy. G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 
The refund of the CO2 levy is granted only to companies covering an activity referred to in Annex 7 of the CO2 Ordinance. Eligible companies have to commit to reducing greenhouse gas 
emissions on the basis of a fixed emissions reduction target. If a company fails to fulfil its target, a 
sanction of CHF 125 for each excess tonne CO2eq emitte d is to be paid in addition to the CO2 levy 
and an emission reduction certificate for each excess tonne has to be surrendered 
 
7. Unit amount of the subsidy or, where this is not possible, total amount or budgeted annual 
amount of the subsidy 
 
CO2 levy refunded by Swiss Customs Administration to exempted companies (without mandatory 
EHS) was CHF 43 million in 2013 and CHF 47.4 in 2014.  
8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other deadline connected with the subsidy 
 
The duration of the CO2 levy and of the refunds has not been specified. The domestic greenhouse 
gas emissions reduction targets of the CO2 act have to be renewed by 2020. 
 9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 
Statistical data indicating trade effects are not available. 
 
III. FORESTRY 
1. INDEMNITIES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 
1. Title of the programme 
 
New system of fiscal equalization and division of tasks. 
 2. Period covered 
 
2013-2014. 
 3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 Compensation to forest owners for services rendered to the public. 
 
4. Background and authority 
 
Federal Law on Forests (1991) [SR 921].  
Federal Ordinance on Forests [SR 921.01]. 
 5. Form of the subsidy 
 Since 2008 the New system of fiscal equalization and division of tasks (NFE) is in force. This 
system also concerns the assistance in the field of  forestry. Assistance is allocated in the form of 
indemnities and financial assistance. 
 6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 
The subsidy is granted in form of four year long programs and flat rate budget (2008-2011; 
2012-2015) that are granted by the Confederation after cantonal proposals have been submitted. 
According the subsidy to the defined products and services within the programs goes fully to the 
cantons for the implementation. 
 G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  7. Unit amount of the subsidy or, where this is not possible, total amount or budgeted annual 
amount of the subsidy 
 
In 2013, the Confederation was engaged in programs amounting to CHF 125 million; in 2014, it 
was CHF 132 million. 
 8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other deadline connected with the subsidy 
 Starting 2008, four year long programs (2008-2011; 2012-2015) were introduced.   9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 The effect of the assistance programme on trade is negligible, if not non-existent (payments for environmental services like the maintenance of protection forests [e.g. mature trees cutting in 
protected forests to allow regeneration while young trees will be left in the forest where timber 
transport is difficult due to rugged conditions] or conservation of biodiversity).  
IV. AGRICULTURE 
1. HORSES 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
 
Export subsidies for live horses. 
 2. Period covered 
 2013-2014.  
3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 
The Canton of Jura takes measures to maintain domestic horse breeding for the needs of agriculture. These measures apply only to ho rses of the breed "Franches-Montagnes" and 
"Demi-sang" in the Canton of Jura. 
 4. Background and authority 
 (a) Arrêté du 13 mars 2013 octroyant un crédit au service de l'économie rurale pour le 
versement de subventions pour l'exportation de chevaux. 
 
(b) Arrêté du 26 mars 2014 octroyant un crédit au service de l'économie rurale pour le 
versement de subventions pour l'exportation de chevaux. 
 
5. Form of the subsidy 
 
A Cantonal financial export subsidy is paid to horse-breeders for exports of horses of the breeds 
encouraged by the Canton of Jura.  
 6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 The subsidy is granted to breeders upon export.  7. Amount of the subsidy 
 Total export subsidies in 2013 amounted to CHF 80,000 and CHF 78,000 in 2014.  
8. Duration of the subsidy 
 
The Cantonal subsidy has been in force since 20 April 2010. G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 
Number of Horses and Trade1 
(Head) 
 
Year Number of horses  Imports Exports 
2013 60,000 3,870 1,228 
2014 60,000 3,939 1,333 
 
Most exports are not subsidized (subsidies covered about 80 heads in 2013 and 78 in 2014). 
 
2. WOOL 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
 
Purchase of domestic wool and wool projects.  
2. Period covered 
 
20132 
 
3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 
There are at present some 450,000 heads of sheep,  the majority of which are in mountain areas. 
The subsidy enables the Swiss wool industry to pu rchase domestic wool, while at the same time 
guaranteeing a contribution to producers for thei r production costs. The contributions for wool 
projects enables the industry to develop processes for wool treatment and to promote wool 
products. 
 4. Background and authority 
 
Federal Law on Agriculture of 29 April 1998 (SR 910.1). 
5. Form of the subsidy 
 
The Confederation makes an annual contribution of  CHF 0.8 million for the professional treatment 
of domestic sheep wool and for wool projects.   
6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 
The subsidy is granted by the Confederation to re cognized self-help organisations of sheep owners 
and wool processors. The contribution is based on the weight of transformed wool and based on 
project costs.  
 
                                               
1 Horses intended for slaughter are not included. 
2 In 2014, Switzerland implemented the revised Agricultural Policy for 2014-2017 thereby reforming 
domestic support measures. The relevant data are no t available yet and will be provided in the next 
notification. Reference is also made to the notifications on domestic support provided to the Committee on 
Agriculture. 
 G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  7. Amount of the subsidy per unit 
 
Year Total (millions of CHF) Per unit (CHF per kg) 
2013 0.3 (for the treatment of domestic 
sheep wool) 2.00 
2013 0.5 (for wool projects)  
 
8. Duration of the subsidy 
 
The subsidy for the purchase of domestic wool was introduced in 1962. It is provided in 
two instalments per year. Contributions for projects were introduced in 2003.  
9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 
Production and trade of wool (in tons) 
 
Year Production Imports Exports 
2013 506 534 539 
 3. EGGS 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
 
Contributions for the disposal of eggs. 
 
2. Period covered 
 2013
3 
 
3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 
The purpose of the subsidy is to promote the disposal of domestic eggs.  
 4. Background and authority 
 (a) Federal Law on Agriculture of 29 April 1998 (SR 910.1).  (b) Federal Ordinance of 26 November 2003 concerning the egg market (SR 916.371: Egg 
ordinance). 
 5. Form of the subsidy 
 Contributions (grants).   
6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 
The Confederation can finance measures to facilitate the disposal of domestic eggs (cracking eggs and price reductions).  
 
                                               
3 In 2014, Switzerland implemented the revised Agricultural Policy for 2014-2017 thereby reforming 
domestic support measures. The relevant data are no t available yet and will be provided in the next 
notification. Reference is also made to the notifications on domestic support provided to the Committee on 
Agriculture. 
 G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  7. Amount of the subsidy 
 
Year Total amount (millions of CHF) 
2013 1.6 
 
8. Duration of the subsidy 
 
Payments are made usually on a monthly basis during a calendar year. 
 
9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 
Production, trade and consumption of eggs in shell (millions of eggs) 
 
Year Production Imports Consumption 
2013 812 484 1,006 
 
Exports are negligible.  
4. PROTEIN AND FIBRE PLANTS 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
 
Bonuses to promote the growing of protein and fibre plants.  
 2. Period covered 
 2013
4 
 3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 Growing premiums for protein and fibre plants ar e one of the measures designed to safeguard 
producer income and support local production. 
 
4. Background and authority 
 Federal Law on Agriculture of 29 April 1998 (SR 910.1). 
 
5. Form of the subsidy 
 
Payment to the producer (grant).  
 6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 Crop bonuses proportionate to the area under cultivation are allocated to domestic producers of high-protein peas and field beans. The bonuses  are allocated annually in the Confederation 
budget.  
 
                                               
4 In 2014, Switzerland implemented the revised Agricultural Policy for 2014-2017 thereby reforming 
domestic support measures. The relevant data are no t available yet and will be provided in the next 
notification. Reference is also made to the notifications on domestic support provided to the Committee on 
Agriculture. 
 G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  7. Amount of the subsidy  
 
Support measures Millions of CHF 
2013 
Payment to the producer (1,000 CHF per hectare) Field beans and high-
protein peas; fibre plant 4.25 
 
8. Duration of the subsidy 
 
The subsidy was paid on the basis of the ordinance of 7 December 1998 for 2013 (RS 910.17).  
 9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 
Production, trade and consumption 
(not allowing for fluctuations in stocks) 
 
Field beans, high-protein peas 
Year Production 
(thousands of tons) Imports 
(thousands of tons) Consumption 
(thousands of tons) 
2013 13.6 17 30.6 
 
5. OIL-SEEDS 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
 
Bonuses to promote the growing of oilseeds. 
 2. Period covered 
 2013
5 
 3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 The measures taken to promote arable farming are aimed at keeping a minimum area for the production of oil-seeds both for biological reasons linked to the need for a certain crop 
diversification and for reasons of maintaining domestic supply.  
 4. Background and authority 
 Federal Law on Agriculture of 29 April 1998 (SR 910.1).   5. Form of the subsidy 
 Payment to the producer (grant).   
6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 
The following subsidies are granted for rapeseed, sunflower seed and soybeans. Crop bonuses 
proportionate to the area under cultivation are allocated to domestic producers. 
 
                                               
5 In 2014, Switzerland implemented the revised Agricultural Policy for 2014-2017 thereby reforming 
domestic support measures. The relevant data are no t available yet and will be provided in the next 
notification. Reference is also made to the notifications on domestic support provided to the Committee on 
Agriculture. 
 G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  7. Annual amount of the subsidy 
 
Support measures Millions of CHF 
2013 
Payment to the producer (1,000 CHF per hectare) Rapeseed, sunflower seed 
and soybeans 27.4 
 
8. Duration of the subsidy 
 
A support of oil production was introduced in 1951. The subsidy was paid on the basis of the 
ordinance of 7 December 1998 (RS 910.17).   
9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 
The subsidy has made it possible to keep a minimum area under oil-seed production. Domestic production is equivalent to 20-25 per cent of Swiss average consumption of vegetable oils and 
fats. 
 
Production and trade (in tons) 
 
 
Field beans, high-protein peas 
Year  Production 
 Imports 
 Oil exports 
2013 Rapeseed 72,500 6,905 49 
Soybeans 3,550 16,700 161 
Sunflower seeds 8,570 5,400 861 
 
6. SUGAR BEET 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
 
Bonuses to promote the growing of sugar beet for sugar production. 
 2. Period covered 
 2013
6 
 3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 In order to guarantee domestic supply, a subsid y to promote the production of sugar beet was 
introduced in 2008 and has fully replaced in 2009 the allowance to the sugar factories. 
 
4. Background and authority 
 
Art. 54 of the Federal Law on Agricultural of 29 April 1998 (SR 910.1). 
 5. Form of the subsidy 
 
Payment to the producer (grant). 
 
                                               
6 In 2014, Switzerland implemented the revised Agricultural Policy for 2014-2017 thereby reforming 
domestic support measures. The relevant data are no t available yet and will be provided in the next 
notification. Reference is also made to the notifications on domestic support provided to the Committee on 
Agriculture. 
 G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 
Crop bonuses are proportionate to the area under cultivation. They are allocated to domestic producers of sugar beet, which are used to produce sugar. To receive the grant, producers must 
have a written contract with a sugar processing factory. 
 7. Amount of the subsidy per unit 
 
Year Support measures Total (Millions of 
CHF) CHF per hectare 
2013 Payment to the producer (grant) 37.1 1,900 
 
8. Duration of the subsidy 
 The legislation funding subsidy for production of sugar was introduced in 1957. The subsidy was 
paid on the basis of the ordinance of 7 December 1998 (RS 910.17). 
 9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 
Production and trade of sugar (in tons) 
 
Year Production Imports7 Exports8 
2013 217,000 143,000 2,800 
 
7. SEEDS  
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
 
Bonuses to promote the growing of plants seeds.  
 
2. Period covered 
 
20139 
 3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 The seeds culture of food and feed crops must  be maintained under the Swiss production 
conditions to ensure domestic supply.  
4. Background and authority 
 
Federal Law on Agriculture of 29 April 1998 (SR 910.1).  
 
5. Form of the subsidy 
 
Payment to the producer (grant). 
 6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 
The following subsidies are granted for production of seed potato, seed corn and seed grass. Crop 
bonuses proportionate to the area under cultivation are allocated to domestic producers.   
                                               
7 Customs tariff headings:1701.1100/1200/9100/9900/9991/9999. 
8 Id. 
9 In 2014, Switzerland implemented the revised Agricultural Policy for 2014-2017 thereby reforming 
domestic support measures. The relevant data are no t available yet and will be provided in the next 
notification. Reference is also made to the notifications on domestic support provided to the Committee on Agriculture. G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  7. Amount of the subsidy 
 
Support measures Millions of CHF 
2013 
Payment to the producer (1,000 CHF per hectare) Seed production 2.1 
 
8. Duration of the subsidy 
 
The subsidy was paid on the basis of the ordinance of 7 December 1998 (RS 910.17). 
 9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 
Production and trade (in thousands of tons) 
 
Year  Production Imports Exports 
2013 Seed potatoes 21.0 4.0 0.66 
Seed corn 0.6 1.5 0.1 
Seed grass 0.2 7.1 0.9 
 
8. FRUIT 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
 
Promotion of domestic production.  
 
2. Period covered 
 
201310 
 3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 
The purpose of the subsidy is to offer products at a competitive price within the scope of the 
promotion of rural development. Other measures in this sector are aimed at preventing a collapse in the prices of domestic products. 
 
4. Background and authority 
 
Federal Law on Agriculture of 29 April 1998 (SR 910.1). 
 5. Form of the subsidy  
 
The subsidies are granted according to (a) and (b) 
 (a) Subsidies to promote the utilization of surpluses. These are primarily intended for 
manufacturers of concentrated fruit juice to cover the additional costs resulting from the 
takeover of surpluses. 
 
(b) In addition, subsidies are paid to manufacturers in order to create competitive conditions to 
purchase Swiss fruit for processing. The subsidies are fixed sums per unit, which are determined according to market conditions. 
 
                                               
10 In 2014, Switzerland implemented the revised Agricultural Policy for 2014-2017 thereby reforming 
domestic support measures. The relevant data are no t available yet and will be provided in the next 
notification. Reference is also made to the notifications on domestic support provided to the Committee on 
Agriculture. 
 G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 
See replies to Question 5.   
7. Amount of the subsidy  
 
Total amount (in millions of CHF) 
 
Year Total 
2013 4.1 
 Amount per unit 
 The amounts per unit for the measures mentioned cannot be shown because they vary too widely 
with conditions and with the market situation. 
 8. Duration of the subsidy 
 For the measures during the period covered by the notification, see the replies to Question 5.  
9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 
Production and trade (thousands of tons) 
 
Year Production Imports 
 Total11 of which apples Chapter 08 Heading 0808/0809 
2013 177 132 524 74 
 The quantities of fruit exported (Chapter 08) correspond to: 
 
2013: 8,928 tons  9. PROCESSED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
 
Export refunds for processed agricultural products.  
 
2. Period covered 
 
2013-2014. 
 3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 
In order to place the Swiss food processing indust ry on an equal footing with foreign competitors 
with respect to the cost of basic agricultural commodities incorporated into processed products, the Law mentioned below authorises the Government to grant refunds on exports.  
 
4. Background and authority 
 
The contributions are legally based on the Federal Law of 13 December 1974 on the import and 
export of processed agricultural products (SR: 632.111.72), which has been in force since 1 June 1976, and the Ordinance of 22 December 2004, respectively of 23 November 2011, regulating contributions to exports of processed agricultural products (SR: 632.111.723). 
                                               
11 Apples, pears, quinces, cherries, plums and prunes, apricots, peaches and berries. G/SCM/N/284/CHE 
 
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  5. Form of the subsidy 
 
The contributions are granted for the export of certain agricultural commodities (dairy products and cereal products) when exported in the form of processed agricultural products. 
 
6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 
The contributions are paid to manufacturers upon export. Requests for contributions for exports 
from December of the preceding year until June of the current year have to be submitted until 15 August of the current year, for exports from Ju ly to November until 31 December of the current 
year.  
 
7. Unit amount of the subsidy or, where this is not possible, total amount or budgeted annual 
amount of the subsidy. 
 The total amount of the contributions paid was:  CHF 70.0 million in 2013 and CHF 70.0 million in 
2014. 
 
Export contributions are calculated and fixed for the defined agricultural commodities (dairy and cereal products) used by the food industry on  the basis of the difference between Swiss and 
foreign representative prices. The export refunds are adapted in case of considerable price 
fluctuations. The amount granted per unit of processed agricultural products depends on the fixed 
contributions and on the quantities of agricultur al commodities used for the preparation of goods 
exported 
 
8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other deadline connected with the subsidy 
 
Export refunds for processed agricultural products have been granted since 1 June 1976. Until 
2011, the budget was allocated on an annual basis from 1 January to 31 December. Since 2013, the budget of a given year is allocated for exports in December of the preceding year until November of the current year. 
 
9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 
Year Total value of exports of processed agricultural 
products (HS chapters 15-22) 
(Millions of CHF 
2013 4’833 
2014 4’875 
 
 
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