Birds, bees and ballots: Swiss voters reject plan to better protect the country’s biodiversity

Associated Press

GENEVA (AP) — Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to increase protections for the Alpine country’s cherished plant and animal life. Final official results show that more than 63% of voters disagreed with the plan. The biodiversity initiative called for setting aside more land and waterways as protected areas. Supporters said that about a third of Switzerland’s fauna and flora are threatened or have already vanished. Critics insisted passage would cost too much and crimp economic development prospects. The voting was part of the latest Swiss referendums, which take place four times a year to give voters a direct say in policymaking in the country of around 9 million people.