Range of compulsory stocks
The Swiss compulsory stock range is divided into four categories: foodstuffs, energy, therapeutic products and industry. The specialist departments of the National Economic Supply organisation (NES) specify the type and quantity of goods to be stockpiled.
Compulsory stocks of foodstuffs
Compulsory food stocks include directly consumable foodstuffs such as sugar, rice and edible oils as well as products that require processing such as cereals for making bread. Production inputs such as fertiliser and animal feed are also stored. Enough stocks are held to cover the country's average requirements for between two and four months, depending on the product.
Compulsory stocks of energy
Mineral oil, natural gas and electricity are key to securing energy supply. Enough stocks of petrol, diesel and heating oil are held to meet the average Swiss requirement for four and a half months; the amount of aviation fuel held is sufficient for three months.
Compulsory stocks of therapeutic products
Sufficent stocks of human anti-infectives are held to last five to six months. These are used against all common infectious diseases. A compulsory stock of virostatics is held in case of a flu pandemic. A three-month stock of strong painkillers and a four-month supply of vaccines are also held. In the veterinary sector, antibiotics are stockpiled for an average requirement of two months.
Compulsory stocks for industry
Supplementary compulsory stocks
Stocks of essential goods not subject to compulsory stockpiling may be held on a voluntary supplementary basis. FONES concludes compulsory stock agreements to this end with companies willing to hold such stocks. These additional compulsory stocks concern essential goods for which there is normally little demand or which are only offered by a small number of market participants. These include yeast, uranium fuel rods and plastic granulates for the packaging industry. The additional compulsory stocks make up only a small fraction of the total compulsory stocks.