Soil and Biotechnology Division

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:

Topic Soil

Topic Biotechnology

Management:

Bettina Hitzfeld
Position: head of division

Basil Gerber
Position: deputy head of division, head of section Biosafety and Control

Gudrun Schwilch
Position: head of section Soil

Anne-Gabrielle Wust Saucy
Position: head of section Genetic Engineering and Invasive Alien Species

Last modification 01.07.2024