Monopolies on monopolies

Very interesting! Triggered by the current massive deployment of salt to clear streets of ice, our beloved, publicly financed TV station is featuring an informative programme about the salt monopoly in Switzerland. Apparently, salt being used across the Rhine in Germany costs about CHF 130 per ton, while here, our homegrown stuff costs us three times (!) as much - 500! And the argument of the Secretary of the Conference of cantonal directors of finance (wow, some job title) is just ridiculous: Supply guarantee ... cantons apparently own the sole Swiss salt producer and get about a quarter of the salt price.

Yet another old hat to get rid off!