PFAS contamination forces St Gallen farms to rethink production

PFAS contamination is forcing farms in St Gallen canton to change how they use their land, with some facing the loss of livestock production, SRF reported. One farm in Rheineck has become an animal sanctuary after its owners found PFAS in all of their soil.

Farmer Peter Meier said he became worried about two years ago, when reports emerged of PFAS contamination on farms in the canton. He had his land tested, and every plot was found to be contaminated. Meier concluded that his meat would probably no longer be sellable. He and his wife, Barbara, faced an uncertain future and many sleepless nights.

The couple decided to stop raising livestock for food and turn their farm into an animal sanctuary. It now provides a home for animals that can no longer be used for other purposes. The change became possible after they saw an advertisement from the Foundation for Livestock, which was looking for a new farm to house animals.

Foundation president Markus Bosshard said the soil contamination was discussed extensively. The foundation accepted the risk because the most heavily contaminated land would no longer be used for production. Less contaminated pastures still provide animal feed, while the animals are not slaughtered and therefore do not enter the food supply. Hedges or flower meadows are being planted on the most contaminated plots.

Up to 100 farms across St Gallen canton are affected by PFAS. Some may be able to switch to arable farming or vegetable production, as certain plants absorb less of the chemicals. But Bruno Inauen, head of the cantonal agriculture office, said not every farm would find a solution. Where soil contamination is severe, producing milk and meat is not possible, and some farms will have to give up land and seek other options.

Meier and his wife have already made that change, but the future remains uncertain for many other affected farms.