Swiss voters approved the mutilation of cows

Many found the cause sympathetic, yet a majority could not be won over.

The electorate rejected the Horned Cow Initiative on Sunday with 54.7 percent voting No. Around 187’300 voters said No, while 159’200 cast a Yes vote. The initiative received its strongest support in urban cantons. In Geneva, it achieved 59.9 percent Yes votes, and in Basel-City 56.8 percent.

Yet in areas where cattle are actually kept, the population tended to vote No. In Fribourg, the share of No votes was 66.2 percent; in Appenzell Innerrhoden, 66 percent.

A modest contribution

The initiators proposed an annual subsidy of 190 francs per horned cow and 38 francs per goat. Swiss farmers dehorn around 200’000 calves every year. 90% of all cows in Switzerland no longer have horns.

Nature created cows with horns, argued mountain farmer Armin Capaul in support of his initiative. Humans, he said, have no right to mutilate animals.

Safety in the barn

For opponents, however, there are valid reasons for dehorning. Horns serve not only as head ornaments but also as weapons. In free-range barns, horned cows require more space, which can cause additional costs running into six figures.

Agriculture Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann warned of an own goal for animal welfare: animals with horns would increasingly be kept in tie stalls again due to the risk of injury. More on animal rights.