Switzerland: National Council Science, Education and Culture Committee (SECC-N) supports the Federal Council's indirect counter-proposal to the ‘fur initiative’

The National Council Science, Education and Culture Committee (SECC-N) has examined on the popular initiative ‘Yes to a ban on the import of fur products produced in a manner that causes cruelty to animals’ (‘fur initiative’) and the Federal Council's indirect counter-proposal. It supports the indirect counter-proposal but recommends rejecting the popular initiative. 

The committee unanimously agreed to the amendment to the Animal Welfare Act proposed by the Federal Council. Discussion focused on the wording stating that the import and transit of fur products are only permitted if they have not been obtained using methods that ‘severely impair’ the welfare of the animals. By 15 votes to 9, the committee decided to retain this wording. Motions to explicitly prohibit cage rearing with wire mesh floors or trapping were rejected by 16 votes to 8. According to the committee, such details should be addressed at the ordinance level, allowing flexible adaptation to current scientific knowledge.  

The Federal Council's counter-proposal stipulates that fur products may only be imported or transported through Switzerland if they comply with a certification programme run by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO). The committee rejects this Swiss-specific solution and instead proposes relying on equivalent international standards. A minority proposes to stick to the Federal Council's proposal.  

In the overall vote, the committee adopted the amended counter-proposal by 16 votes to 0 with 8 abstentions. It recommends rejecting the popular initiative by 14 votes to 0 with 10 abstentions. The SECC-N also does not support the cantonal initiative of the Canton of Zurich ‘Import ban on real fur from foreign farms or wild animals involving cruelty to animals’ by 16 votes to 0 with 7 abstentions.  

These matters will be submitted to the National Council in the autumn session.