Animal welfare

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Brochures with the most important regulations are available for individual animals:

Keeping cattle, sheep, goats, horses and pigs outdoors on a permanent basis largely meets the animals' natural needs. They live in a group, can live out their social behavior, are sufficiently active and can usually get their food from the pasture, i.e. largely naturally.

However, it is part of the general animal husbandry regulations that the livestock owner must provide accommodation for animals that cannot adapt to the climatic conditions.

Livestock owners are therefore required to protect their animals from extreme climatic conditions so that their adaptability is not overtaxed. Extreme climatic conditions occur during weather periods that are characterized by either heat and strong sunlight or cold combined with wetness and wind.

Important: Artificial shelter must be provided at all times from December 1 to February 28, except on days and nights with dry weather.

The castration of calves, piglets, ewe and goat lambs and the dehorning of young animals are among the most painful procedures performed on animals. They require appropriate analgesia. Animal owners who wish to dehorn or castrate their young animals themselves must complete a training course.

The specific provisions can be found in the technical information.

Animal owners must always care for their animals properly and check their condition regularly. They are responsible for ensuring that sick or injured animals are immediately housed, cared for and given veterinary treatment according to their condition.

If animals have to be killed, this must always be done professionally. This applies not only to slaughter, but also when a sick or injured animal has to be killed to limit suffering.

Criteria for professional killing

The method chosen must comply with animal welfare standards and be safe. This means

• The method must result in immediate loss of consciousness.
• The loss of consciousness must last until death occurs.
• The method must have a minimized risk of false stunning.
• The chosen method of killing must lead safely to the death of the animal.
• The killing process must be monitored until death occurs.

Gentle conditions must be observed. This means

• The killing must be carried out without fear or stress and painlessly.
• Killing must be carried out without delay.
• The killing must be carried out by a competent person*.

*According to the Animal Welfare Ordinance, persons are deemed to be competent if they have acquired the necessary knowledge and practical experience of killing an animal under expert guidance and supervision and regularly kill animals.

Prohibited methods

Animals must not be killed in an agonizing manner. Methods that cause slow death, possibly combined with pain or fear, are prohibited. Animals may therefore not be drowned, suffocated or frozen. Methods that do not meet the above-mentioned criteria for professional killing are not permitted.

Methods of killing are also prohibited if there is a risk that there will be no immediate loss of consciousness or that the method will not lead safely to death.

Non-expert persons may not kill animals. They must contact a veterinary practice.

Specialist information - professional killing