Vote in Switzerland can define weight of environmental requirements

For the first time, pigs will vote on a trade agreement. The popular consultation regarding a treaty signed between the country and Indonesia will certainly have an impact on an agreement with Mercosur, which also generates controversies. What is at stake are the conditions for the agricultural production of the Swedish trading partners, with clear signs of greater pressure on Brazilian exports. Switzerland is the largest economy of the European Free Trade Association (Efta), which also includes Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. They are small countries, which are not part of the European Union, but with high purchasing power. Efta's commercial agreement with Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world, has caused irritation in Switzerland due to Jakarta's environmental policy, starting with the destruction of forests with the production of palm oil. This oil, abundant, versatile and cheap, has become essential in the industry and is used in products that range from ...