What is your motivation for getting involved with Biovision?
Biovision is an innovative and dynamic organisation that strives for an environmentally and socially acceptable food system and offers solutions to achieve it. I was very impressed by the flagship projects. I am very motivated to work with the staff, the Foundation Board and the partner organisations to contribute to the transformation of the food system.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
Above all, I am looking forward to getting to know the Biovision team. But it is also a return to my roots in terms of the subject matter. I have been able to gain experience and create a network through my many years of work in the food system at national and international level. I am very pleased to be able to make greater use of these again.
About Anders Gautschi
Anders Gautschi studied agronomy. For more than five years, he led the Transport and Environment Association (ATE) before taking on the role as director at Biovision. His extensive expertise in the fields of agriculture and consumption, as well as his experience both in the field as a farmer and in politics at the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), complete his profile.
Where do you see the biggest challenges for a sustainable food system?
The challenges are significant, both nationally and internationally. Nutrition accounts for a significant part of the ecological footprint, especially in Switzerland. For example, agricultural policy continues to provide many false incentives, such as those favouring intensive farming methods. These need to be eliminated, which is all the more difficult in view of the current political situation. Furthermore, development cooperation has recently been the subject of massive criticism – quite wrongly.
What will you prioritise in your work?
I can’t say that yet. I’ll start by listening. I need to get an overview of the entire organisation. But I am aware that action is needed. The substantive direction of Swiss agricultural policy for the next financing period, AP 30+, will be fleshed out next year. It is certainly important for us to be effectively involved here. But first, the organisation needs to be strengthened financially. That won’t happen overnight, but I am very confident.
What would you like to achieve with Biovision?
I want to help ensure that staff can once again focus entirely on their projects. It is very important to me to continue to promote Biovision’s position as an innovative, forward-looking organisation and to increase its awareness. Biovision’s projects and approaches are promising and should be applied as widely as possible. I am very happy to get involved.
