On 25 September, on the national level Swiss voters will be asked to decide on factory farming. We have collected all the information on the vote for you here.
Current situation
Switzerland's legislation on the protection of animals is amongst the strictest in the world. The dignity and welfare of animals are protected, regardless of how many animals are kept in one place. The Confederation also encourages forms of agricultural production that are particularly close to nature, environmentally friendly and animal-friendly. This is required under the Constitution. More and more farm animals live in specially animal-friendly pens and have regular access to the outdoors.
The proposal
The initiative wants to make protecting the dignity of farm animals such as cattle, chickens or pigs a constitutional requirement. It also aims to ban factory farming because it systematically harms the welfare of animals. The federal government would have to set stricter minimum requirements for animal-friendly housing and care, access to the outdoors, slaughtering practices and the maximum group size per pen. These requirements would have to meet the Bio Suisse standards for 2018 as a minimum, and all farms would have to comply with the new rules in their animal husbandry. The requirements would also apply to the import of animals and animal products as well as foods with ingredients of animal origin. This would be in breach of agreements with important trading partners. It would result in higher investment and operating costs, costly inspections of foreign farms and an increase in the price of food of animal origin.
Question on the ballot
Do you approve the citizens’ initiative to ban factory farming in the Swiss constitution?
Recommendation of the Federal Council and Parliament: NO
The Federal Council and Parliament reject the initiative. Farm animals are already very well protected. More and more animals are being kept in a particularly animal-friendly manner. An import ban on products without organic standards in animal husbandry would only be enforceable at great expense. Many foods would become more expensive.
www.admin.ch/massentierhaltungsinitiative
Recommendation of the Initiative Committee: YES
According to the committee, the Animal Welfare Act is often described as exemplary. However, the committee believes that the reality in agriculture is different. The initiative therefore calls for animal-friendly housing and care, regular outdoor exercise, smaller group sizes and gentle slaughter.
Vote in the National Council
NO: 106
YES: 77
ABSTAIN: 8
Vote in the Council of States
NO: 32
YES: 8
ABSTAIN: 1
- The full official voting information booklet in German / In French / In Italian
- Swissinfo analysis of the issue
Explainer video prepared by the Federal Council
Video in French / Video in Italian
The information on this page is translated from the official information booklet
