National Council Adopts Counterproposal to the Foie Gras Ban Initiative - Animal Welfare Demands Improvements

"The production of foie gras has been banned in Switzerland for over forty years and is classified as a criminal offense of severe animal cruelty. Those who read the descriptions or even watch videos of the process also know why," National Councilor Anna Rosenwasser (SP/ZH) summarizes it aptly.

The indirect counterproposal accepted yesterday provides for the systematic monitoring of the import development of magret, foie gras, and confit of ducks and geese by the federal government after the introduction of the already agreed declaration obligation in July 2027. Reports will be prepared every five years. Should import volumes not decrease during the reporting period, further measures, up to import restrictions, are foreseen.

To ensure the effectiveness of the instrument, such monitoring must be based on uniform and transparent criteria and take external influencing factors into account. Additionally, close reporting from the responsible authority to the Federal Council is required. It is important to clearly and comprehensively present the development of import volumes and the effect of the declaration obligation.

Indirect Counterproposal Needs Effective Improvement

A minority of the preliminary advisory committee of the National Council had demanded that further measures must always be taken if foie gras imports do not decrease "significantly" during the respective reporting period. This was intended to clarify that only a significant reduction can be considered a sufficient success. Unfortunately, the National Council has spoken in favor of a version of the counterproposal that allows for refraining from additional measures even in the case of only a slight decline in import volumes.

Appeal to the Council of States: Yes to the Initiative and Yes to an Effective Counterproposal!

Next, the Council of States will address the issue. We appeal to the small chamber to recommend acceptance of the initiative and also adopt the indirect counterproposal — supplemented with the requirement of a "noticeable" reduction in import volume.

The greatest and most important goal is to achieve an effective reduction in animal suffering. This point is also emphasized by National Councilor Clarence Chollet (Greens/NE) when she asks, "Is it really justifiable to continue animal suffering solely out of tradition? Our habits are changing – especially when it comes to violence, whether against humans or animals."

Media Contact:
Oliver Loga
Press Manager Switzerland
VIER PFOTEN - Foundation for Animal Protection
Altstetterstrasse 124
8048 Zurich
Tel. +41 43 311 80 90
presse@vier-pfoten.ch
www.vier-pfoten.ch

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: VIER PFOTEN / Photographer: Éthique & animaux