The crops we grow and the food we eat are shaped by government polices across the globe. Seemingly innocuous bureaucratic decisions made far from the limelight often yield consequences only realized after the fact.
In the latest episode of The Ag-Policy Podcast, Farm Progress policy editor Josh Baethge and global agriculture policy expert Hansjürg Jäger discuss how agriculture policy is shaped by farmers and lawmakers, advocates and activists around the world. They delve into the debate over GMOs, and how differing public sentiment in the U.S and Europe is a major sticking point to trade on both sides of the Atlantic.
Jäger, who is based in Bern, Switzerland, regularly lectures on agriculture policy and markets. He and Baethge began the Ag-Policy Podcast in early 2025. In their monthly episodes, they explore how developments in U.S., Swiss and European policy impact farmers.
“While much of our attention is focused on issues specific to American farmers, it’s important to remember agriculture is a global business,” Baethge says. “Hansjürg offers compelling insight into how Swiss and E.U. officials are responding to the current ag trends. His expert analysis brings a fascinating look into how world leaders are driving the future of agriculture.”
Listeners can look forward to more conversation with Jäger and Baethge on how national governments support farmers differently, how nations prioritize food safety, and what the latest international policy developments mean for farmers. Those discussions will include a dive into the types of support farmers receive, the effectiveness of public spending on agriculture, and how agriculture policy can be improved.
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