Trade and value chains

19 March 2026

Elisabeth Bürgi Bonanomi in the interview

“Global agricultural trade needs to be rethought”

The WTO Agreement on Agriculture should be completely redesigned: That’s the goal of a group of experts from five continents. In a project, they have developed a “Model Treaty on Agricultural Trade for Sustainable Food Systems”. We asked Elisabeth Bürgi Bonanomi, one of the project leaders, why they are making this push now – and what it entails.

20 January 2026

Irene Musselli

“Public authorities should openly acknowledge that they can’t ensure that pesticides are safe”

In Europe certain hazardous substances obtain approval before later being withdrawn over safety concerns. The EU will restrict imports of products containing residues of pesticides banned within its borders. But it continues to export such substances. Irene Musselli sees clear human rights deficits in these areas.

8 January 2026

Huge old tree with multiple trunks photographed from below towards the sky

An independent “green economy” pathway in Africa

Africa imports many processed wood products – even though it exports huge quantities of wood. This leads to massive trade deficits. In a joint research project led by CDE and the African Forest Forum, a panel of experts met to explore ways of strengthening the intra-African timber trade while promoting legal, sustainable forest management.

31 October 2024

Astrid Zabel and Elisabeth Bürgi Bonanomi

EUDR: “Switzerland would do well to get actively involved”

The EU is set to ban imports of certain raw materials and processed goods if their production is linked to deforestation. CDE’s Elisabeth Bürgi and Astrid Zabel are researching ways of implementing the EUDR so that producers and countries in the global South can also benefit.

16 October 2024

Jimena Solar Alvarez

“Deforestation-free products are the market of the future”

To address deforestation, the EU introduced the Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR). CDE researcher Jimena Solar Alvarez examined the challenges and opportunities for Peruvian smallholder farmers and producers in implementing the EUDR.

14 December 2022

“We show how Switzerland could boost sustainable trade”

How can we achieve sustainable food systems? Trade rules are a key lever to foster sustainable and diverse food systems, says Elisabeth Bürgi Bonanomi, senior legal expert at CDE. Together with a research team, she presents how corresponding rules could be designed in accordance with international law.

3 February 2021

"Hungry mills" and their role in Indonesia’s palm oil industry

The extent to which the oil mills drive forest loss and the role they could play in achieving more sustainable production are the subject of a recent master’s thesis at CDE and the Institute of Geography of the University of Bern.

28 January 2021

“Sustainability doesn’t come free”

EFTA trade agreement with Indonesia: What does this agreement achieve with regard to sustainability? And what does it miss? Trade law expert at CDE, Elisabeth Bürgi Bonanomi, explains the pros and cons.

27 January 2021

“The tricks of the plantation industry bring to mind the Wild West”

When Switzerland votes on the trade agreement with Indonesia on 7 March, the issue will be palm oil. Heinzpeter Znoj, expert on Indonesia, says: “The latest developments in Indonesia’s palm oil industry directly contradict the goals of the trade agreement.”

20 January 2021

Make value chains more sustainable – but how? The case of palm oil

The production of important agricultural commodities often clashes with concerns for sustainable development. One critical case is that of palm oil. Answers to ten frequently asked questions.

4 November 2020

“We need a legal system for the 21st century”

Companies based in Switzerland should ensure that their activities abroad respect human rights and comply with environmental standards: that is the view put forth by an Initiative. Elisabeth Bürgi, law expert, offers a legal perspective.

18 August 2020

Global interests collide in Madagascar

Nearby the conservation areas of Masoala and Makira, CDE researchers have shown how strongly the global competition over land and resources impacts local development. For it to be sustainable, the various international actors must work together.

17 July 2019

“The least developed countries remain de facto excluded from tax information exchange”

A research project is investigating ways of curbing illicit financial flows from developing countries. Transparency and exchange of information in tax matters are possible levers to improve the situation. CDE scientist Irene Musselli outlines the latest findings.

20.11.2018

“It’s time to make trade agreements sustainable”

Elisabeth Bürgi Bonanomi, expert in sustainable trade relations at CDE, on the question: How can and should states promote trade relations that support sustainable development of agriculture and the food industry?