After the National Council had rejected the proposal in the final vote during the summer session by 96 votes to 86, with 9 abstentions, the FAC-CS began its preliminary consideration of the matter. It voted unanimously to consider the proposal. The committee focused in particular on the sustainability and social provisions, as well as on possible accompanying measures to mitigate the impact of the free trade agreement on agriculture.
In the detailed deliberations, it supported adding four articles to the relevant Federal Decree. It therefore proposes several accompanying measures in favour of agriculture and sustainability. By 9 votes to 4, it called on the Federal Council to provide an additional 517 million francs for the period 2028–2033 to increase the competitiveness of agricultural holdings: 480 million francs for investment loans and 37 million francs for sales promotion, part of which is intended to promote agricultural exports. In addition, structural improvement contributions are to be maintained at least at the level of the 2026 budget.
Also by 9 votes to 4, the committee decided that the Federal Council should closely monitor the effects of the agreement on agriculture and other economic sectors and, in this context, regularly involve the relevant parliamentary committees and the affected stakeholders. In addition, it must submit a corresponding report to Parliament five years after the agreement enters into force.