Document type : article published on the Swiss Confederation's website
Author: Conseil fédéral, Switzerland
Preview: Animal welfare, especially that of livestock, is an important issue for the Swiss Federal Council. At its 12 August 2020 meeting, it issued a consultation document that was a direct counter-proposal to the popular campaign, "No to intensive livestock farming in Switzerland". The counter-proposal engages with core aspects of the campaign. The consultation will remain open until 20 November 2020.
The Federal Council wants to enshrine in the Swiss Constitution the campaign's call for the provision of animal-friendly housing for livestock, regular periods spent outdoors and abattoir conditions that respect animal welfare. In all three areas, the minimum requirements for all livestock must be tightened. The counter-proposal also provides for the welfare of all animals to be enshrined in the Constitution as a general principle. The campaign relates exclusively to livestock in agricultural production.
