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Diverse authorities ensure that Swiss farming animals are healthy. Rigorous live animal transport screening ensures effective prevention of epidemic outbreaks. This active surveillance system has already shown results: Switzerland has been recognised as free of all trade-relevant highly infectious epizootics. Swiss meat specialties can be thoroughly enjoyed without reason for concern or doubt.

Animal protection and hygiene

Correct care of the animals is also decisive for their health. This is ensured by the stiff Swiss Federal Act on Animal Protection. Under this law, independent inspections of animal welfare are carried out and adherence to the law is rigorously enforced. General cleanliness and hygiene is also strictly regulated and enforced. Pharmaceutical products are only permitted in close cooperation with a veterinarian and their application is recorded in detail. No residues are to be found in Swiss meats.

Regulation

The Federal Veterinary Office (FVO) supervises and monitors animal health. Animal transport screening applies to all cloven-hoofed animals – cows, sheep, goats, pigs but also bison, llamas, alpacas as well as fallow and red deer that are kept in Switzerland. The animals are labelled at birth and registered not only at the farm but also in a national database. Contact with other animals and transfers to other locations are registered. Responsibility for inspections and monitoring of meat and meat products is shared between the Federal Veterinary Office and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

Research

Research also ensures healthy animals. The Institute of Virology and Immunoprophylaxis (IVI) operates a high security laboratory focusing on the research, diagnostics, surveillance and control of highly infectious epizootics. With the aid of this institute, Switzerland is well equipped to defend itself against dangerous diseases such as swine fever and foot and mouth disease.