Stricter Rules for Dog Imports and Animal Welfare

The Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) has today opened the consultation process on amendments to several ordinances in the area of animal protection.

The new requirements are intended, among other things, to improve animal welfare in the keeping of various animal species and to counter irresponsible dog imports. Measures in the area of animal testing are also planned. The consultation period runs until 15 March 2024.

In its responses to various parliamentary motions, the Federal Council has indicated further improvements to animal protection. In addition, research is continuously generating new scientific findings in the area of animal husbandry. Against this backdrop, the Federal Council aims to strengthen the legal requirements for animal protection. On 27 November 2023, the FDHA opened the consultation process on the corresponding amendments to the relevant ordinances.

Stricter Rules for the Import of Puppies

The draft consultation document proposes a ban on the import of puppies under fifteen weeks of age. This requirement already exists in many EU member states. Currently, owners may import dogs into Switzerland without any age restriction. However, puppies under eight weeks of age must be accompanied by their mother. The aim of the tightening is to reduce impulsive, spontaneous purchases of puppies online and thereby curb irresponsible dog trading from abroad. The collective transports commonly used in practice, carrying large numbers of animals, also carry the risk that the often very young dogs may infect one another with diseases. Exceptions to the 15-week restriction apply to private individuals who collect a puppy directly from a breeder abroad, as well as to the import of service dogs.

Improvements in the Keeping and Breeding of Laboratory Animals

A new ordinance article explicitly limits the breeding of laboratory animals to the necessary minimum. Furthermore, the purpose of all laboratory animals must in future be recorded in a database. This applies in particular to animals that institutions breed for experiments but ultimately do not use and therefore kill. The transparency created is intended to help reduce the number of laboratory animals bred. In addition, the legal basis now stipulates that the cages and enclosures of all laboratory animals must provide retreat options. The proposed measures are in line with the 3R principle applicable in Switzerland. 3R stands for the reduction of laboratory animals used (reduce), the replacement of animal experiments (replace), and the improvement of the methods applied (refine).

New regulations for animal-appropriate handling

Certain practices in the handling of animals no longer correspond to today's understanding of animal welfare and are to be prohibited in future. These include the trimming of chicken beaks, the use of certain methods in handling horses, and the docking of sheep tails.

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