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Quarterly newsletter scienceindustries 4/2019

 

The quarterly newsletter of scienceindustries, the Swiss Business Association Chemistry Pharma Life Sciences, keeps you informed about current economic and social issues.

 
 

Like the National Council, the Council of States also rejects the termination initiative

 

One of the most important referendums concerning Switzerland’s political relations with Europe is coming up: voters will decide about the termination initiative in May. According to this initiative, Switzerland should terminate the agreement on the free movement of persons if a system introducing a ceiling for access to the labour market cannot be agreed with the EU within one year. The National Council and Council of States have recognised the damaging potential of this initiative and decisively rejected the initiative during the 2019 winter session. scienceindustries is also pleased to take note of the latest Tamedia survey according to which 58 percent of voters intend to vote no to the initiative. Because of strong economic integration, the chemistry, pharmaceutical and life sciences industry has a vital interest in the maintenance of the bilateral agreement I with the EU and in this context also supports its stabilisation by way of an institutional superstructure. You can read more about our arguments in our position paper (available in German and French).

 
 

Abolition of industrial tariffs improves economic framework conditions for companies

 

scienceindustries supports the abolition of industrial tariffs as well as the simplification of the customs tariff structure. As part of a global network, the chemistry, pharmaceutical and life sciences industry relies heavily on exports, manufactures highly specialised products and therefore depends on low-cost foreign intermediate goods.
The abolition of all import tariffs on industrial products will not only relieve our member companies from unnecessary additional costs and allow them to get rid of red tape, but will also enable them to be more competitive on the Swiss market. The abolition of industrial tariffs is an effective tool in reversing Switzerland’s reputation as an “island of high prices” and brings advantages for consumers.
Concerns about Switzerland’s supposedly weaker position in the free trade negotiations have no basis in fact.

 
 

No to the experimentation article - taxes should go to the Swiss healthcare infrastructure

 

The experimentation article proposed by the first cost-reduction package should make it possible for the healthcare sector to run pilot projects unconstrained by overly prescriptive legal provisions. scienceindustries is basically in favour of such a measure. However, the proposal now submitted to Parliament by the Federal Council is so fraught with problems that scienceindustries has to reject this experimentation article. In the Dispatch, the “experiments” have been restricted to pure cost-saving programmes and do not include innovations which will initially require much investment, but will cut costs in the long run. This article also focuses on watering down the principle of territoriality, with the result that Swiss premium and tax payers will increasingly finance foreign health infrastructures while the local infrastructure is increasingly neglected. The experimentation article is also highly questionable from a democratic viewpoint, as its formulation undermines fundamental constitutional principles, such as the division of powers. In addition, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) can issue ordinances to approve deviations from the law, in which case the Federal Council will regulate the duration and conditions of a project, which could even result in forced participation. These examples show that the Federal Council's proposal excessively restricts Parliament's right to a say, which is contrary to the Swiss concept of government and has to be rejected.

 
 

Swiss patent law should be modernised

 

During the 2019 winter session, the National Council as second chamber approved the motion “Towards a modern Swiss patent” that was filed by State Councillor Thomas Hefti. The motion has three objectives: a full patent examination for Swiss patent applications, the introduction of a utility model, and an extended opposition procedure. scienceindustries welcomes the approval of the motion. The planned measures will allow a flexible and modern solution for protecting inventions by innovative Swiss companies and SMEs. The Institute of Intellectual Property IPI as the competent Federal authority will now prepare a preliminary draft and explanatory report on the revision of the Patents Act.

 
 

Yes to reducing the risks of using plant protection products – with innovations instead of prohibitions!

 

scienceindustries demands a discussion about the two plant protection initiatives that is based in science and free of ideological dogma. This discussion must focus on reducing the actual risks and support a productive, sustainable and competitive system of food production and processing in Switzerland. The agricultural sector needs all available innovations and technologies to master the challenge of having to continuously improve the resource-efficiency and sustainability of its production processes. Swiss farmers should have quick and simple access to new technologies in plant cultivation and plant protection, farm management and farming methods. This will protect natural resources, minimise the risks of using these products, and reduce the ecological footprint of food production. You can find our media release on the Dispatch to the drinking water initiative here: www.scienceindustries.ch/engagements/industriegruppe-agrar (available in German and French).

 
 

“Brennpunkt Nahrung” conference: the meeting place for the agro-food sector

 

At the 5th “Brennpunkt Nahrung” conference on 5 November 2019, 340 representatives of the agricultural and food industry met to discuss a number of topics. Under the motto “Consumer dilemma: wishes – values – reality”, the conference focused on consumer needs and their development. For the third time already, visitors congregated at the “Start-up Innovation Corner” supported by scienceindustries to talk about new ideas and developments in the Swiss agricultural and food industry. Six young entrepreneurs presented their innovative products and services for the agro-food sector. The start-up “planted”, which makes plant-based meat replacement products, attracted particular interest.

 
 

SimplyScience at SWiSE Innovation Day at the Zurich University of Teacher Education

 

The SWiSE (Swiss Science Education) Innovation Day offers more than 300 teachers for all grades the opportunity to attend various workshops where they can test and experience specific teaching sequences “from the practice for the practice” for themselves. Various specialist presentations give insight into ecological, technical and natural science topics of current relevance, and the teaching aids and ideas market invites visitors to linger and discuss their ideas with other participants.
The SimplyScience Foundation supports this annual conference and will be present at this year's event on 21 March 2020 with an exhibition stand and two “Chemistry for you and me” workshops. More information is available at www.simplyscience.ch/unsere-lehrmittel/articles/chemie-fur-dich-und-mich-forschen-mit-sniff-co.html?_locale=de (this information is available in German only).

 
 

scienceindustries is the Swiss business association for the chemical, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. Its around 250 member companies generate more than 98% of their revenues abroad. As Switzerland's biggest export industry, this sector contributes 45% to total exports and almost 40% to private research expenses in Switzerland

Stephan Mumenthaler, Director
Marcel Sennhauser, Deputy Director - Head of Communication

 
 

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