Drought forces Swiss organic farmers to radical measure: Cows may now eat non-organic feed

Switzerland's stringent organic farming standards are facing an unprecedented challenge as a prolonged drought devastates pastures. Bio Suisse, known for its "Knospe" (Bud) label, considered one of the world's strictest, has been forced to grant a temporary exemption.

For two weeks, organic farmers are permitted to use up to 50% feed that is not Bio Suisse-certified. This includes imported EU organic feed and, in a sign of the crisis's severity, up to 20% conventional feed. "The biggest problem is the lack of feed. We have members who already asked in July if they could give their animals conventional feed," said Urs Brändli, president of Bio Suisse.

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The biggest problem is the lack of feed. We have members who already asked in July if they could give their animals conventional feed.

The organization has approved 555 applications for approximately 23,000 tons of feed. Brändli noted that while members are unhappy about needing to apply for the exemption, it helps Bio Suisse gather data and prepare for future dry spells, which are expected to become more frequent.

The decision highlights the vulnerability of even the most rigorous organic systems to extreme weather events. The long-term impact on consumer trust and the integrity of the "Knospe" label remains a concern, especially given that organic products often command significantly higher prices.

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The members complain to us that they have to apply. But we also want to get an overview and be prepared for future years.