Federal Council’s counter-proposal to the fur initiative is well received
Published: Friday, Nov 22nd 2024, 16:40
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The Federal Council's indirect counter-proposal to the fur initiative has been well received in the consultation process. The initiative committee is even considering withdrawing the petition under certain conditions.
This is the result of the committee's statement on the consultation, which ended on Friday. The popular initiative "Yes to a ban on the import of fur products produced in a cruel manner (fur initiative)" calls for a ban on the import of fur products whose production violates Swiss law.
The Federal Council considers this to be problematic under commercial law. It prefers an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act. Its proposal is not based on Swiss law for the definition of "cruel to animals", but on the guiding principles of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The WOAH is an intergovernmental organization with 183 members.
The Federal Council is therefore opposing the initiative with an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act as an indirect counter-proposal. It proposes that furs produced in a cruel manner may no longer be imported into Switzerland. It is also proposing a ban on the trade in fur products produced in a cruel manner.
Eliminate exceptions
The counter-proposal is "in itself satisfactory", writes the committee. A law formulates a principle, and in this sense the formulation of the ban corresponds to the objectives of the initiative. However, the exceptions provided for in the implementing ordinance are "not acceptable in their current form".
However, if the Federal Council amends the ordinance in a satisfactory form and Parliament adopts the counter-proposal, then "it would be possible for the fur initiative to be withdrawn, as its objectives would have been achieved".
The Federal Council's indirect counter-proposal is also well received in politics. The FDP, SP, Center Party and Greens all welcome it. The SVP had not published a statement by Friday afternoon.
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