Press releases
The Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) provides regular and transparent updates. On this page, you will find our press releases from this year and previous years. The FOAG’s press releases are distributed via News Service Bund, and you can subscribe to them on the portal – along with all other Federal Administration communications.
Latest press releases
Field Trial with Cisgenic Potatoes: Sustainable Disease Resistance Sought
Agroscope is testing the use of new breeding technologies by cultivating a late blight-resistant potato cultivar in the field. Authorised by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the field study serves as a basis for researching potato varieties containing no foreign DNA. These so called ‘cisgenic’ varieties reduce the need for plant-protection products and can better withstand extreme weather conditions.
Statement establishing a Dialogue on Emerging Agricultural Trade Issues
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Peru, Switzerland, Ukraine and Uruguay established a Statement on a Dialogue on Emerging Agricultural Trade Issues at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organization in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The Statement establishes a forum that is expected to build trust and foster mutual understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable agriculture, taking into account the diverse realities and approaches of WTO Members. It sends a strong signal that Members are willing to find new ways of engaging on issues of common concern.
High-level G10 Gathering in Yaoundé
Senior officials of G10 Members met on 27 March 2026 on the fringes of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organisation in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Upon invitation from Switzerland, the G10 Members discussed current developments in the WTO negotiations on agriculture. They emphasised their willingness to engage constructively in agricultural talks at MC14 and beyond, while ensuring compatibility with their respective agricultural policies and taking their interests as net food importing countries into account.
Reduction in US additional tariffs to enter into force retroactively
The US is applying a tariff ceiling of 15% on imports from Switzerland. This applies retroactively from 14 November 2025. In return, Switzerland will reduce import tariffs on certain fish and agricultural products from the USA. The basis for this is the joint statement published on 14 November between Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the USA.
Declaration of intent between the USA and Switzerland on US additional tariffs
Switzerland and Liechtenstein have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the United States. On this basis, the United States will reduce the country-specific additional tariff to 15%.
Corinne Jud Khan named as new head of Agroscope
Corinne Jud Khan is the new head of Agroscope, the federal research institute for the agriculture and food sector. The Federal Council was informed of the appointment at its meeting on 27 August. Corinne Jud Khan will take up her post on 1 March 2026, succeeding Eva Reinhard, who will retire at the end of February.
Subscribe to Federal Administration news
You can subscribe to all press releases, specialised information and newsletters from the Federal Administration on the News Service Bund portal. Log in and compile your personalised subscription.