Switzerland Introduces Labelling Requirements for Animal Products Made Using Painful Procedures

Switzerland's Federal Council has introduced new labelling requirements for meat, eggs, and milk from animals that have undergone painful procedures without anesthesia. The new regulations apply to products such as beef from animals that have been castrated or dehorned without anesthesia, pork from animals that have been castrated or had their tails docked without anesthesia, and eggs and meat from chickens whose beaks were clipped without pain relief.

The changes, which came into effect on July 1, will require affected foods to display additional information about their production method, including whether or not painful procedures were performed without anesthesia. The Federal Council has also prohibited the import of fur and fur products produced through animal cruelty, with a two-year transition period. Despite these advancements, global food companies still received low ratings for animal welfare improvements, indicating that there is still progress to be made in ensuring the well-being of farmed animals.