📋 Tender Overview
From February 1, 2025, new requirements in the area of animal welfare will apply in Switzerland. The commercial import of puppies is prohibited if they are less than 15 weeks old. Furthermore, adjustments in the areas of farm animals and animal testing will lead to an improvement in animal welfare. The Federal Council adopted the corresponding changes to the Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV) on December 20, 2024.
With the partial revision of the Animal Welfare Ordinance, the Federal Council is adapting the legal requirements to the current state of knowledge in the area of animal welfare. In particular, it is thereby implementing changes that it announced in responses to parliamentary motions. The changes will come into force on February 1, 2025. Higher minimum age for puppies when imported Commercial imports of puppies under 15 weeks old are now prohibited. Animals under 15 weeks may only be imported by private owners who collect them themselves from a breeder abroad. The Federal Council wants to use this to curb irresponsible dog trading from abroad. This often takes place over the Internet, where very young dogs are offered and ordered without thinking. The new regulation is intended to counteract these spontaneous online purchases.
Improvements for farm animals and an end to the killing of chicks In the farm animal sector, among other things, the shortening of lambs tails is prohibited. This practice is already prohibited for all other animal species for reasons of animal welfare. A new regulation is also intended to enable the industry to stop the killing of chicks. This refers to a practice in laying hen farming in which male chicks are killed in large numbers after hatching because there is no use for them. The amendment to the Animal Welfare Ordinance takes into account new procedures that enable early sex determination in the egg. This means that male eggs can be sorted out before they hatch. Improvements in the keeping of laboratory animals Changed regulations also apply to the keeping and handling of laboratory animals, which are intended to improve animal welfare. In addition, the obligation to report laboratory animals is being expanded, which leads to more transparency regarding the animals used.
