In May 2008, the wholesaler Migros launched the label TerraSuisse together with IP-SUISSE (organisation for integrated farming). Foods marketed under this label are produced on IP-SUISSE farms and stand for nature- and animal-friendly Swiss farming. IP-SUISSE producers care to preserve natural habitats that benefit rare plants and animals and thus enhance farmland biodiversity.

The Swiss Ornithological Institute supports IP-SUISSE and Migros in the matters concerning biodiversity and is responsible for the scientific evaluation.

The core instrument of the TerraSuisse label is the credit point system developed by the Swiss Ornithological Institute and IP-SUISSE. The credit point system assesses the efforts/performance to promote biodiversity at the farm-level (see Scoring with biodiversity - farmers enrich nature). IP-SUISSE producers commit to reaching a certain number of points. The required score represents an ecological standard, which is markedly above the one prescribed by the government.

The Swiss Ornithological Institute scientifically evaluates the effects of the label (credit point system) on farm biodiversity. On a number of farms, we investigate the correlation between the number of points and biodiversity (see Scoring with biodiversity - farmers enrich nature). The study will also reveal which ecological and economical impacts a targeted advisory service at the farm-level has.

A nature-friendly agriculture is of major importance for numerous plants and animals. Without the typical farmland species, farmland would be reduced to a mere agrarian desert. With a wildlife-friendly agriculture, a more vital and healthier environment is created, additionally offering exciting landscapes and an increased quality of life for people.

It is a novelty that market partners (such as the wholesaler Migros) grant farmers bonuses for additional ecological efforts to promote biodiversity. This requires that consumers recognise and understand the added value of biodiversity. Only then are they ready to pay more for the products of farmers, which take additional efforts for biodiversity.

The project was started in summer 2007. In winter 2007/08 IP-SUISSE decided to include the credit point system in their guidelines.

2008 has been used as a pilot year to test field methods for the evaluation. In 2009 and 2010, the number of credit points and the biodiversity will be assessed on various farms. From 2010 on, the credit point system will be mandatory and filled out by every IP-SUISSE farmer.

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IP-SUISSE
Migros
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL