The Confederation removes a subsidy and causes an outcry

The Confederation grants hundreds of subsidies, but is now considering reducing aid for the breeding of sport horses, provoking the anger of those concerned. Federal Councilor Albert Rösti could intervene to resolve the situation.

Maja Briner / ch media

Daniel Steinmann expresses deep anger, perceptible even on the other end of the phone. He denounces unequal treatment, highlighting the controversial projects of the Confederation. In fact, the latter plans to stop paying subsidies for the breeding of sport horses from 2026which arouses the consternation of the president of the CH Sport Horse Breeding Federation (FECH).

Among the multiple subsidies allocated by the Confederation, that intended for the breeding of sport horses represents only a tiny part. Overall, the government pays nearly 47.6 billion francs in financial aid and compensationincluding in particular contributions to the AVS, funds for railway infrastructure, as well as direct payments to agriculture.

With the current delicate financial situation, these funds are under great pressure. However, removing these subsidies is rarely an easy process: concerned parties react strongly, warning of repercussions. This situation is poignantly illustrated by the debate around aid for sport horses.

The FECH Federation prefers to use the term “blood horses”, because only a minority manages to reach the competitive level in equestrian sport. Daniel Steinmann emphasizes that the breeding of blood horses has an ancestral tradition in Switzerland, but that it is currently in danger. According to him, if contributions to this breeding are eliminated, an entire section of our cultural heritage risks disappearing.

The financial control verdict

The affair began with a report from the Federal Audit Office. This examined various grants awarded by the Federal Office of Agriculture to external organizations in 2018 and recommended removing contributions “which do not contribute to sustainable food security (e.g. sports horses)”. , as the report indicates.

A year later, the Federal Office informed the FECH that no additional funding would be allocated to the breeding of sport horses in the future. According to recent reports from the Swiss Bauer and Bauernzeitungthese subsidies should be eliminated from 2026. It should be noted that the federal contribution for the maintenance of the Swiss Franches-Montagnes breed will not be affected by this decision.

For the FECH Federation, the situation is critical. So far, she benefits from around 240,000 francs in annual subsidies for breeding, which constitutes 36% of her total income. According to director Anja Lüth, removing subsidies would force FECH to “make drastic cuts”. The merger of the federation is probably inevitable, with a resulting drop in quality, she explains.

Raising membership dues or taxes does not seem like a viable option, especially given that we are already at a disadvantage compared to foreign breeding organizations. Lüth recognizes that public authorities must make savings. She admits that, unlike other sectors, bloodstock breeding does not directly contribute to food security.

However, she emphasizes that for two thirds of breeders, who are also farmers, breeding constitutes a fundamental pillar. Lüth and Steinmann express frustration with the planned increase in subsidies for alpacas and llamas, pointing out that the food security argument seems not to apply in this case.

Despite the association’s intervention with the Federal Office of Agriculture (Ofag) to oppose the planned elimination of subsidies, their efforts were in vain. The authority plans to propose this change during the complete revision of the livestock ordinance at the beginning of 2025, a spokesperson confirmed in response to an inquiry.

Ofag rejects any comparison with alpacas and llamas, emphasizing that the latter do not share the same clearly focused orientation towards sport and leisure, unlike sport horses. A spokesperson for the office emphasizes that the meat of these animals is consumed, and that they contribute to maintaining open meadows, thus playing a crucial role in the Swiss food system.

Albert Rosti, a lawyer at the Federal Council?

However, removing a subsidy is rarely an easy process and often encounters strong resistance. Defenders of horse breeding have strong networks within federal Bern, in particular through the Horse parliamentary group, whose former member was the current federal councilor, Albert Rösti. The presidency of this group is ensured by the liberal-radical states advisor, Damian Müller, who also holds the presidency of the umbrella association for equestrian sports, Swiss Equestrian.

The horse is part of agriculture, underlines Müller, who fears that the Franche-Montagnes will also be affected in the near future.

(Translated and adapted by Chiara Lecca)