WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
24 June 2011 
 (11-3127) 
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 16 June 2011,  is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Switzerland.   
 
_______________ 
  
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Page 
PART ONE:  INDUSTRY ........................................................................................................... .......... 2 
I.  TAX RELIEF IN APPLICATION OF THE NEW REGIONAL POLICY ........................ 2  
II.  ASSISTANCE FOR MOUNTA IN AND RURAL AREAS ................................................... 3  
III. ASSISTANCE FOR FOREST RY ACTIVITIES ................................................................... 4  
PART TWO:  AGRICULTURE ........................................................................................................ ... 5 
I.  MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS ........................................................................................... 5  
A.  BUTTER  .............................................................................................................................. ......... 5 
B.  SKIMMED MILK AND POWDER  ..................................................................................................... 5  
C.  CHEESE FOR DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION  ....................................................................................... 5  
D.  CHEESE FOR EXPORT  ................................................................................................................... 5  
E.  OTHER DAIRY PRODUCTS  ........................................................................................................... 6  
II.  BREEDING AND DAIRY CATTLE ...................................................................................... 7  
III. HORSES ........................................................................................................................ ............ 8 
IV.  WOOL .......................................................................................................................... .............. 9  
V.  EGGS .......................................................................................................................... ............. 10  
VI.  PROTEIN AND FIBRE PLANTS ......................................................................................... 11  
VII. OIL-SEEDS ..................................................................................................................... ........ 12 
VIII. SUGAR BEET .................................................................................................................... ..... 14 G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
Page 2 
 
 
  IX.  SEEDS ......................................................................................................................... ............. 15  
X.  FRUIT ......................................................................................................................... ............. 16  
XI.  PROCESSED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS .................................................................. 17  
 
 
PART ONE:  INDUSTRY 
I. TAX RELIEF IN APPLICATION OF THE NEW REGIONAL POLICY 
1. Title of the programme 
Tax relief in application of the New Regional Policy (since 1 January 2008). 
 
2.  Period covered 
2009-2010. 
 
3.  General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
Support of projects of private enterprises aimed at helping reduce disparities in the 
development of regions. 
 
4.  Background and authority 
Art. 12 of the Federal law on regional po licy of 6 October 2006 (state as of 1st January 2008). 
Ordinance of 28 November 2007 about  tax relief in application of regional policy (state as of 
1st January 2008). 
Ordinance of 28 November 2007 on development areas (state as of 1st January 2008). 
 
5.  Form of the subsidy 
Under the new legislation, only fe deral tax reliefs (partial or fu ll) can be granted. The loan 
guarantees granted under the former law (Federal Law of 6 October 1995, Official Collection of 
Federal Law 2006 4301) for maximal duration of 8 years will expire about 2015-2016. 
 
6.  How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
 Tax reliefs are granted to manufacturing comp anies and to services companies with activities 
closely linked to the manufacturing process. The pr oject has to be innovative: the product and the 
manufacturing process have to be technologically up-to-date and give the company an increased 
ability to compete through a national and international market presence. 
 
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 industrial activities higher than 
the average;  
(b) The average unemployment ex ceeds the national average;  G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
 Page 3 
 
 
  (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 pros pects 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 budgetized 
annual amount of the subsidy 
The Confederation's total share of the losses on guaranteed loans granted under the former 
law (Federal Law of 6 October 1995) was nil in  2009 and CHF 0.91 million in 2010, with federal 
commitments as a whole amounting to CHF 35.2 million at year end 2009 and CHF 28.8 million at 
year end 2010. 
 
8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other deadline connected with the subsidy 
The assistance programme for developmen t areas remains in force indefinitely. 
 
 The tax reliefs are granted for a maximum duration of 10 years. 
 
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. 
 
II. 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 
2009 and 2010. 
 
3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
The programme is aimed at providing long a nd medium 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 Fe deral Law encouraging credit guarantees and on 
loan service contributions in mountain and rura l 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 sureties by giving subsidies to the Swiss 
Guarantee Cooperative for the Arts and Crafts a nd by making interest-servicing contributions. The 
subsidy does not relate to a specific product or sector. 
 G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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  6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
The programme applies to sureties and inter est-servicing contributions for small- and 
medium-sized enterprises which are profitable or likel y to develop, whether ex isting or to be created. 
Payments are made only to establishments which ar e 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 budgetized 
annual amount of the subsidy 
The Confederation's total share of the losses on guaranteed loans was CHF 0.1 million in 
2009 and CHF 0.6 million in 2010, with fede ral commitments as a whole amounting to 
CHF 17.6 million at year end 2009 and CHF 14.6 million at year end 2010. 
 
The contributions to interest servicing paid out totalled CHF 0.3 million in 2009 and CHF 0.3 
million in 2010.   8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other deadline connected with the subsidy 
The assistance programme for mountain and ru ral 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. 
 III. ASSISTANCE FOR FORESTRY ACTIVITIES 
1. Title of the programme 
Reorganisation of Financ ial Equalisation (NFA). 
 
2. Period covered 
2009-2010. 
 
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 
In 2008 a reorganization of the financial ad justment and the division of responsibilities 
between the Confederation and the cantons, called Reorganization of Financial Equalisation (NFA), 
was undertaken. The new system also concerns the a ssistance in the field of forestry. Assistance is 
allocated in the form of indemnities and financial assistance. 
  G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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  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) 
that are granted by the Confederation after cant onal proposals have been submitted. According the 
subsidy to the defined products and services within the programs goes fully to the cantons for the 
implementation. 
 7. Unit amount of the subsidy or, where this is  not possible, total amount or budgetized 
annual amount of the subsidy 
In 2009, the Confederation was engaged in programs amounting to CHF 144 million; in 2010, 
it was CHF 130 million. 
 
8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other deadline connected with the subsidy 
Starting 2008, four year long programs (2008-2011) 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 youn g trees will be left in the forest where timber 
transport is difficult due to rugged condit ions] or conservation of biodiversity). 
 
PART TWO:  AGRICULTURE 
I. MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS 
A. B
UTTER  
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
The contributions for butter were abolished as of 1st January 2009. 
  
B. SKIMMED MILK AND POWDER  
2. Title of the subsidy programme 
The contributions for skimmed milk and sk immed milk powder were abolished as of 
1 January 2009.  
 C. C
HEESE FOR DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION  
3. Title of the subsidy programme 
The special price reduction for some soft and semi-hard cheeses was abolished as of 
1 May 2002. 
 
D. CHEESE FOR EXPORT  
4. Title of the subsidy programme 
The export contributions for cheese we re abolished as of 1 January 2009. G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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E. OTHER DAIRY PRODUCTS  
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
(a) The export subsidies for other dairy products  were abolished as of 1 January 2009.  
(b) Innovation programme for regional milk 
2. Period covered 
 2010 
3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
The Canton of Geneva takes measures to prom ote innovative projects using regional milk. 
4. Background and authority 
Agriculture law of the Canton of Ge neva of 1 January 2005 (M 2 05) 
5. Form of the subsidy 
Contributions (grants) 
6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
The subsidy is granted to dairy transforming enterprises carrying out innovative projects. The 
first project aims at supporting innovative packagi ng and labelling for milk. The second project aims 
at innovative labelling of a regional cheese type. 
 
7. Amount of the subsidy per head 
The contributions are paid as follows: 
(a) Project for innovative packaging and labelli ng for milk: CHF 35,000 for a total of 
90,000 litres of milk 
(b) Project for innovative labelling of a regi onal cheese type: CHF 15,000 for around 
146,000 litres of milk 
8. Duration of the subsidy 
The programme has been limited to the period of 2010 only 
9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
Year  Production of milk (including Geneva Zone) 
in tons 
2010 25,200 
  G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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  II. BREEDING AND DAIRY CATTLE 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
Export subsidies for live bovine cattle 
 2. Period covered 
2009-2010 
 
3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
The Federal Council takes measures to maintain  domestic production of breeding and dairy 
cattle in the mountain area. 
 
4. Background and authority 
Federal Law On Agriculture of 29 April 1998 (SR 910.1). 
5. Form of the subsidy 
Contributions (grants)  
 6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
These contributions consist of a fixed base am ount and a variable amount depending on the 
quality of the animal; they are paid up to a fixed maximum to the exporter.  
 
7. Amount of the subsidy per head 
Total (in thousands of CHF) 
Year 2009 
Export subsidies 6,200 
Year 2010 
Export subsidies 0 
 
Per unit (as an average, CHF per livestock unit) 
Year 2009 
Export subsidies 1,050 
Year 2010 
Export subsidies 0 
 
8. Duration of the subsidy 
Export subsidies have been granted since 1954. The subsidies were abolished as from 31st of 
December 2009. 
 G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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  9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
Production and exports of breeding and dairy cattle 
(Heads) 
Year  Stock calves up to one year 
(breeding animals) Exports of heifers, cows and 
bulls 
2009 250,000 5,780 
2010 250,000 555 
 
Switzerland imported 4,000 dairy ca ttle in 2009 and 4,300 in 2010. 
 
III. HORSES 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
Export subsidies for live horses 
 2. Period covered 
2009-2010 
 3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
(a) The Federal Council takes measures to ma intain domestic horse breeding for the 
needs of agriculture. These measures apply to horses of all breeds born in 
Switzerland.  
(b) The Canton of Jura takes measures to main tain domestic horse breeding for the needs 
of agriculture. These measures apply onl y to horses of the breed "Franches-
montagnes" and "Demi-sang" in the Canton of Jura.  
4. Background and authority 
(a) Agriculture Law of 29 April 1998 (SR 910.1). 
(b) Arrêté du 20 avril 2010 octroyant un créd it au service de l'économie rurale pour le 
versement de subventions pour  l'exportation de chevaux. 
5. Form of the subsidy 
(a) A Federal financial export subs idy is paid to horse-breeders for exports of horses of 
the breeds encouraged by the Confederation.  
(b) A Cantonal financial export s ubsidy 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. 
  G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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  7. Amount of the subsidy 
(a) Total export subsidies in 2009 amounted to CHF 545,000 and CHF 0 in 2010. 
(b)  Total export subsidies in 2009 amounted to CHF 0 and CHF 60,000 in 2010. 
8. Duration of the subsidy 
(a) The Federal subsidy has been in force sin ce 1960. The subsidies were abolished as of 
31 December 2009. 
(b) The Cantonal subsidy has been in force since 20 April 2010.  
9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
Numbers and Trade1 
(Head) 
 
Year Horse numbers Imports Exports 
2009 60,000 3,361 1,663 
2010 60,000 3,929 1,559 
 
Most exports are not subsidised (subsidies cove red about 400 heads in 2009 and 80 in 2010).  
 
IV. WOOL 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
Purchase of domestic wool and wool projects.  
 2. Period covered 
2009-2010 
 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 Swi ss wool industry to purchase domestic wool, while at the same time 
guaranteeing a contribution to producers for their production costs. The contributions for wool projects enables the industry to develop processes fo r wool treatment and to promote wool products. 
 
4. Background and authority 
Agriculture Law of 29 April 1998 (SR 910.1). 
5. Form of the subsidy 
2009/2010: The Confederation makes an annua l contribution of CHF 0.7 million for the 
professional treatment of domestic sheep wool and for wool projects.  
 
                                                      
 1 Enumeration is carried out in April of each year.  Horses intended for sl aughter are no t included. G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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  6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
2009/2010: The subsidy is granted by the Confeder ation to recognized self help organisations 
of sheep owners and wool processors. The contribut ion is based on the weight of transformed wool 
and based on project costs.  
 
7. Amount of the subsidy per unit 
 
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 
2009 616 726 654 
2010 489 255 565 
 
V. EGGS 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
Contributions. 
 2. Period covered 
2009-2010.  
 3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
The purpose of the subsidy is to promote the disposal of domestic eggs.  Year Total (millions of CHF) Per unit (CHF per kg) 
2009 0.3 
(for the treatment of domestic 
sheep wool) 2.00 
2009 0.4  
(for wool projects)  
2010 0.2  
(for the treatment of domestic 
sheep wool) 2.00 
2010 0.5 
(for wool projects)   G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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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 facilita te the disposal of domestic eggs (cracking 
eggs and price reductions).   7. Amount of the subsidy 
Year Total amount (millions of CHF) 
2009 1.7 
2010 2.0 
 
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 
2009 722 557 944 
2010 752 569 950 
 
Exports are negligible.  
 
VI. PROTEIN AND FIBRE PLANTS 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
Bonuses to promote the growing of  protein and fibre plants.  
 2. Period covered 
2009-2010. 
 G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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  3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
Growing premiums for protein and fibre plants are one of the measures designed to safeguard 
producer income and food security.  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 cultiv ation are allocated to domestic producers 
of high-protein peas and field beans. The bonuses ar e allocated annually in the Confederation budget.  
 
7. Amount of the subsidy  
Support measures Millions of CHF 
2009 2010 
Payment to the producer (1’000 CHF per hectare) Field beans and 
high-protein 
peas; fibre plant4.2 4.0 
 
8. Duration of the subsidy 
The subsidy was paid on the basis of the ordinance of 7 December 1998 for the period 
covered.   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) 
2009 19 7 26 
2010 18 15 33 
 
VII. OIL-SEEDS 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
Bonuses to promote the growing of oilseeds and price support.   G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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2. Period covered 
2009-2010.  
 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 linke d to the need for a certain crop diversification 
and for reasons of food security.   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, flaxseed, oil pumpkinseed 
and soybeans: Crop bonuses proportionate to the ar ea under cultivation are allocated to domestic 
producers. 
 
7. Annual amount of the subsidy 
Support measures Millions of CHF 
2009 2010 
Payment to the producer (1’000 CH F per hectare) Rapeseed, ... , 
sunflower seed 
and soybeans 25.8 26.2 
 
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 for the period covered.  
 
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. 
 G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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  Production and trade 
(in tons) 
Year  Production Import Oil exports
2009 Rapeseed 66,400 12,779 1,026 
Soybeans 3,002 22,216 170  
Sunflower seeds 11,700 9,311 1,314 
2010 Rapeseed 67,900 5,105 913 
Soybeans 3,106  27,427 305 
Sunflower seeds 11,800 10,539  2,152 
 
VIII.  SUGAR BEET 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
Bonuses to promote the growing of sugar beet for sugar production. 
 2. Period covered 
2009-2010.  
 3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
In order to guarantee food security a subsidy to promote the production of sugar beet was 
introduced in 2008 and has fully replaced in 2009 the a llowance to the sugar factories. The aim of this 
subsidy is to keep a minimum area of sugar b eet in the country to guarantee food security. 
 
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. 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 su gar. 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 
2009 Payment to the producer (grant)  31.9 1,900 
2010 Payment to the producer (grant) 33.6  1,900 
  G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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  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 for the period covered. 
9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
Production and trade of sugar (in tons) 
 
Year Production Imports2 Exports3 
2009 250,857 305,501 2,319 
2010 251,238 232,389 3,546 
 
IX. SEEDS  
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
Bonuses to promote the growing of plants seeds.  
 
2. Period covered 
2009-2010.  
 
3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
The seeds culture of food and feed crops mu st be maintained under the swiss production 
conditions to ensure food security. 
 
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 producti on of seed potato, seed corn and seed grass. 
Crop bonuses proportionate to the area under cultivation are allocated to domestic producers.  
 
7. Amount of the subsidy 
Support measures  Millions of CHF 
  2009 2010 
Payment to the producer (1,000 CHF per hectare) Seed production 4.4 2.1 
 
                                                      
 2 Customs tariff headings:1701.1100/1200/9100/9900/9991/9999. 
 3 Id. G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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  8. Duration of the subsidy 
The subsidy was paid on the basis of the ordinance of 7 December 1998 for the period 
covered.  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 
2009 Seed potatoes 26 2.5 1.5 
Seed corn 0.5 1.3 0.08 
Seed grass 0.2 5.03 0.23 
2010 Seed potatoes 24 2.3 0.35 
Seed corn 0.6 1.5 0.08 
Seed grass 0.17 6.7 0.38 
 
X. FRUIT 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
Valorisation of domestic production.  
 
2. Period covered 
2009-2010.  
 
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 su rpluses. These are primarily intended for 
manufacturers of concentrated fruit juice to  cover the additional costs resulting from 
the takeover of surpluses. Subsidies are paid  to exporters in 2009 (last year) in order 
to allow for exports of surplus cherries a nd certain fruit products, in particular pip-
fruit juice concentrates to traditional markets.  
  G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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  (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 acco rding to market conditions. 
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 
2009 17.1 
2010 1.1 
 
Amount per unit 
 
The amounts per unit for the measures mentione d 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 th e 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 
 Total4 of which apples Chapter 08 Heading 0808/0809
2009 225 167 491 73 
2010 161 126 494 66 
 
The quantities of fruit exported (Chapter 08) correspond to:  
 
2009:   3,928 tons 
2010:  3,260 tons 
 
XI. PROCESSED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS  
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
Export refunds.  
 
                                                      
 4 Apples, pears, quinces, cherries, plums a nd prunes, apricots, peaches and berries. G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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  2. Period covered 
2009-2010.  
 
3. General goal and/or purpose of the subsidy 
In order to place the Swiss food processing industry on an equal footing with foreign 
competitors in respect of the cost of basic ag ricultural commodities used in the preparation of 
processed products, the Law mentioned below authori ses the Government to grant refunds on exports.  
 
4. Background and authority 
The Federal Law of 13 December 1974 on the import and export of processed agricultural 
products (SR: 362.111.72), which has been in force since 1 June 1976, and the Ordinance of 22 December 2004 regulating contributions to e xports of processed agricultural products 
(SR: 632.111.723). 
 
5. Form of the subsidy 
The contributions are granted for the export of certain agricultural commodities (dairy 
products, egg products and cereal products ) when exported in the form of processed agricultural 
products. These contributions are calculated on the b asis of the difference between Swiss and foreign 
prices of agricultural commodities and according to the quantity of agricultu ral commodities used in 
the manufacture of the goods exported.   6. How the subsidy is granted and to whom 
The contributions are paid to manufacturers  upon export. Requests for contributions for 
exports from January until November have to be submitted until the end of the same year, export in 
December until end of January of the next year.  
 7. Unit amount of the subsidy or, where this is  not possible, total amount or budgetized 
annual amount of the subsidy. 
The total amount of the contributions paid  was: CHF 93 million in 2009 and CHF 76.7 
million in 2010. 
 Export contributions are calculated and fixed for the defined agricultural commodities used by 
the food industry on the basis of the difference be tween Swiss and foreign representative prices. The 
export refunds are adapted in case of considerable price fluctuations but at least once a year. The 
amount granted per unit of processed products depends on the fixed contributions and on the 
quantities of agricultural 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 produc ts are granted since 1 June 1976. The budget 
is allocated on an annual basis from 1 January to 31 December.   G/SCM/N/220/CHE 
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  9. Statistical data enabling the effects of the subsidy on trade to be assessed 
 See replies to question 3. 
  
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