Bridging subsidies are paid to ensure development under socially acceptable terms.
Bridging subsidies are based on the approved credits minus subsidies under Articles 71–76, 77a and 77b , and compensatory payments under Article 62a of the Federal Act on the Protection of Waters of 24 January 19911.
Bridging subsidies are paid per farm. The subsidy for the individual farm is based on the difference between the general direct payments before the change of system and the subsidies according to articles 71 paragraph 1 letters a–c and 72 after the change of system. The difference is determined on the basis of the structure of the farm before the change of system.
The Federal Council shall decide on:
the calculation of subsidies for individual farms;
the modalities in the case of transfer of ownership of farms and major structural changes;
limits in relation to the taxable income and wealth of the farmers above which subsidies are reduced or refused, a higher limit being set for married farmers.