The division is responsible for the protection of our soils, for the remediation of contaminated sites and for biotechnology and genetic engineering
The division:
- is committed to the implementation of the Swiss Soil Strategy;
- deals with the protection of the soil against chemical, physical and biological damage such as erosion and compacting;
- surveys the status of the soil through the "National Soil Monitoring Network" (NABO) and prepares the nationwide soil mapping;
- assists the cantons in the implementation of the Soil Pollution Ordinance;
- is responsible for elaborating and implementing the provisions on the handling of pathogenic, alien and genetically modified organisms in the environment (Release Ordinance) and in contained systems (Containment Ordinance);
- is responsible for implementing the strategy on invasive alien species;
- coordinates international activities in the area of biosafety with regard to the environment, in particular the Convention on Biological Diversity;
- it is also responsible for implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity in the area of genetic resources (Nagoya Protocol) and biosafety (Cartagena Protocol).
The division is responsible for the topics:
Management:
![Bettina Hitzfeld](/bafu/en/home/office/divisions-sections/soil-and-biotechnology-division/_jcr_content/par/textimage/image.imagespooler.jpg/1673435067889/180.1000/hitzfeld_bettina.png)
Bettina Hitzfeld
Position: head of division
![Gudrun Schwilch](/bafu/en/home/office/divisions-sections/soil-and-biotechnology-division/_jcr_content/par/textimage_859222794/image.imagespooler.jpg/1673435036129/180.1000/gudrun-schwilch-bafu.png)
Gudrun Schwilch
Position: head of section Soil
![Anne-Gabrielle Wust Saucy](/bafu/en/home/office/divisions-sections/soil-and-biotechnology-division/_jcr_content/par/textimage_1027220355/image.imagespooler.jpg/1718791558027/180.1000/wust_saucy_anne-gabrielle.png)
Anne-Gabrielle Wust Saucy
Position: head of section Genetic Engineering and Invasive Alien Species
Basil Gerber
Position: head of section Biosafety and Control
Last modification 01.07.2024
Contact
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
Soil and Biotechnology Division
Postal address:
CH-3003 Bern
Location of our offices:
Monbijoustrasse 40, 3003 Bern
Tel.: +41 58 462 93 49