Summary

Federal President Guy Parmelin opened the Bernese Exhibition (BEA) in Bern on 24 April 2026. As head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, Parmelin acknowledged the importance of the fair for bridging urban and rural areas. The ten-day exhibition is themed around the senses and showcases innovations in agriculture, trades and crafts. Parmelin emphasised the role of Agroscope as a federally-owned research centre and announced the development of a new Agricultural Policy 2030.

People

Topics

  • Bernese Exhibition (BEA)
  • Swiss Agriculture
  • Agricultural Policy 2030
  • Innovation and Tradition
  • Vocational Education

Clarus Lead

The speech underscores the growing importance of direct encounters between urban populations and rural economic sectors in an increasingly digitalised society. With his participation as incumbent Federal President, Parmelin signals political priority for agriculture, particularly through the planned Agricultural Policy 2030, which is intended to expand administrative relief and entrepreneurial scope. The emphasis on Agroscope as a research centre also demonstrates the federal government's confidence in technological solutions for the future viability of the agricultural sector.

Detailed Summary

Parmelin praised the BEA as a platform where innovation and tradition are visibly displayed side by side – exemplified in the special exhibition "Robot Worlds", which shows how automation transforms production processes. At the same time, he emphasised the cultural and identity-building function of the fair: it connects regionality with technology and demonstrates "what defines our country: commitment, diversity and down-to-earth values."

According to Parmelin, the Federal Council is already working on a new Agricultural Policy 2030, whose objectives are the reduction of administrative burdens and the strengthening of entrepreneurial autonomy. As Education Minister, Parmelin also highlighted the importance of craft traditions and pointed to federal vocational training offerings, such as apprenticeships as a farrier. The research activities of Agroscope – particularly on bacterial diversity in cheese production – were presented as an example of application-oriented science. Parmelin concluded by emphasising that the BEA offers particular value at a time of digitalisation and distance: genuine human encounters and the opportunity to jointly reflect on shaping the future.

Key Messages

  • The BEA serves as an interface between urban and rural Switzerland and thus strengthens social cohesion.
  • The federal government is planning a new Agricultural Policy 2030 with a focus on administrative relief and entrepreneurial flexibility.
  • Research (Agroscope) and vocational education are central pillars of the federal government's agricultural strategy.
  • Personal encounters and direct exchange gain in value in a digitalised society.

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence: What concrete measures of the planned Agricultural Policy 2030 have already been defined, and what data foundations are the targeted reductions in administrative burdens based on?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: To what extent does the new agricultural policy take into account the interests of smaller farms versus large-scale agriculture, and who was involved in its development?

  3. Causality: Is it assumed that robotisation and craft traditions work complementarily, or do substitution effects for traditional professions arise through automation?

  4. Feasibility: How are the intended administrative simplifications to be implemented concretely without weakening control mechanisms (e.g. in food safety or environmental standards)?

  5. Data Quality: Is the statement about growing urbanisation in Switzerland based on current statistics, and what regional differences exist?

  6. Encounter Effect: Is there evaluation data on whether fair visits actually lead to changed perceptions or purchasing decisions regarding Swiss agricultural products?

Bibliography

Primary Source: Speech by Federal President Guy Parmelin at the opening of BEA 2026 – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/bKjLGAjcFSCxJ74naxzrw

Verification Status: ✓ 24.04.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 24.04.2026