Switzerland: Export subsidy for breeding cattle and productive livestock
Description
On 23 July 2009, the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) has increased the export support credit for breeding cattle and productive livestock from CHF 4 million to 5 million in 2009. It is expected that 1000 additional animals can be exported due to this credit.
The FOAG argues that it is important that breeding cattle and productive livestock exports are not disrupted this fall. These exports are likely to relieve burdens in the currently tight Swiss milk and cattle slaughter markets.
The additional expenditures come at the cost of foreseen support for the meat market and for contributions to infrastructure improvements in the Swiss mountain regions.
This measure is an export subsidy and therefore discriminates against foreign commercial interests.
On 4 January 2010, the stated subsidy has been abolished.
Any Evidence-Based Deliberation:
| Question | Result |
|---|---|
| Is there anything in the public record to suggest that evidence of the effectiveness of the proposed measure was considered during official deliberations? | Yes |
| Is there any evidence that alternatives to the proposed measure were considered? | No |
| Is there anything in the public record that suggests that empirical evidence informed the comparison across the alternatives available to government? | No |
| Was such evidence identified? | No |
| Is such evidence publicly available? | No |
| Did the official decision-maker in question provide an explanation as to why a chosen measure was favoured over alternatives? | Yes |
| Is there any evidence to suggest that potentially affected trading partners were consulted before the measures were taken? | No |
| Is there any evidence that safeguards have been put in place to ensure that implementation of the initiative is transparent and non-discriminatory? | No |
| Did the government state its intention to review the measure within one year of implementation? | Yes |
Date Discovered: 23/07/2009
Implemented: Yes
Date of inception: 23 Jul 2009
GTA Evaluation: Green
Source:
FOAG, 23 July 2009 (http://www.news-service.admin.ch/NSBSubscriber/message/de/28217)
WTO. (2010). REPORT TO THE TPRB FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERALON TRADE-RELATED DEVELOPMENTS [WT/TPR/OV/W/3]. Available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news10_e/report_tprb_june10_e.pdf
Government Response:
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