PublishedJune 29, 2022, 10:03 PM
The Swiss Animal Alliance is launching two popular federal initiatives against the importation of foie gras and furs from mistreated animals.
The force-feeding of geese and ducks has been prohibited in Switzerland for forty years (photo illustration).
AFP
With the support of some fifteen animal welfare organizations, the Swiss Animal Alliance (AAS) announced on Tuesday the launch of two popular federal initiatives against the importation of foie gras and furs from abused animals.
If these various organizations have decided to launch these two initiatives, it is to denounce the “hypocrisy” of the current legislation and put an end to it. “We pass laws that prohibit cruelty to animals. But we accept this cruelty if it is produced abroad”, denounces the AAS on its website.
“Our legislation prohibits animal abuse where it can be avoided. Our breeders and producers risk criminal sanctions and fines in the event of violation of the legal provisions. Yet our country authorizes each year the import of products whose mode of production is strictly prohibited in Switzerland”, continues the AAS. According to her, this concerns:
The 350 tonnes of furs represent “approximately 1.5 million animals killed solely for the Swiss market. More than half of these furs come from China, where the terrible conditions of detention and slaughter of animals, sometimes butchered still alive, are regularly denounced”, details the AAS. As for the annual demand for foie gras, “there are thus 400,000 ducks and 12,000 geese which are force-fed and killed in order to meet the specific demand of our country, although the force-feeding of geese and ducks is considered cruelty to animals and banned in Switzerland for more than 40 years,” adds the Alliance.
Organizations now have 18 months to collect 100,000 signatures.
(aze)