Swiss farmers can draw on more emergency animal-feed reserves

Swiss farms can access additional mandatory reserves of animal-feed ingredients from Monday as supplies remain tight, SRF reported.

The reserves contain protein-rich byproducts from producing vegetable oils from soybeans, rapeseed and sunflowers. They are used in feed for poultry, pigs and cattle. In September, nearly 10% of the stocks were released. Companies can now apply for further supplies if shortages persist and they can justify the need.

Christian Hofer, head of food supply at the Federal Office for National Economic Supply, said transport of protein feed ingredients to Switzerland was difficult, mainly because of low water levels on the Rhine. Continuing drought has also reduced the availability of roughage such as hay, leading some farmers to add more protein feed.

The reserve is designed to cover two months of supply if no protein feed ingredients can be delivered. The government has also lifted import duties on feed such as hay and maize. Markus Ritter, president of the Swiss Farmers’ Union, said the feed harvest had been poor across almost the entire country and that farmers were concerned about keeping their livestock fed through the winter. He said he hoped more would grow next year.