Over the next two years the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) will be preparing a set of general environmental objectives. These will be specified in detail for sectors that are in a position to make a substantial contribution to the achievement of the general objectives. The present report outlines the environmental objectives for the first of these sectors, agriculture, in the four areas of biodiversity and landscape, climate and air, water, and soil. The objectives have been determined in collaboration with the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG). They are based on existing legal requirements as reflected in various acts, ordinances, international treaties and decisions of the Federal Council.