‘City dwellers don’t see the efforts agriculture is making in terms of ecology’

The biodiversity initiative, on which the Swiss will vote on September 22, has once again highlighted the gulf between rural and urban populations. Winegrower Blaise Hofmann explains the complex relationship between two worlds that don’t speak the same language. Acts of vandalism, insults and even death threats marred the campaign leading up to the vote on the anti-pesticide initiatives in 2021. Hofmann, a writer and winegrower from canton Vaud, had a tough time. This unease gave rise to his book Faire Paysan (Being a farmer), which seeks to promote dialogue between town and country. The biodiversity initiative, which aims to oblige public authorities to devote more space and resources to nature, has once again angered some farmers, who fear it will severely restrict food production. For their part, the majority of built-up areas are in favour, as shown by the first gfs.bern poll published in mid-August. However, the campaign for the vote has got off to a peaceful start. Hofmann ...