Labeling meat from animals that have been transported for days
Published: Wednesday, Apr 17th 2024, 13:30
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The National Council wants a declaration requirement for foreign meat from animals that have been transported above ground. It adopted a motion from the Green parliamentary group by 129 votes to 52. It now goes to the Council of States.
Christine Badertscher (Greens/BE) justified the motion by saying that transport conditions in very confined spaces, such as on old ships, are often catastrophic. "This problem should give us pause for thought." Last but not least, such animal transports promote diseases.
Badertscher went on to say that cheap meat transported for days on end also meant unfair competition for Swiss farmers who adhere to strict regulations. Consumers could only make animal welfare-friendly purchases with a label.
The motion submitted by former National Councillor Meret Schneider (Greens/ZH) originally also called for customs restrictions on meat from animals transported above ground. However, this demand will now be waived if the motion is adopted, said Badertscher.
Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider requested that the motion be rejected. The cost of a declaration obligation is disproportionately high and the measure is not feasible, for example for processed products. The country of origin of the animal and the place of processing must already be stated for meat.
According to a decision in December 2023, the EU Commission wants animal transports to be shorter. Among other things, the authority proposed that journeys to the slaughterhouse should be a maximum of nine hours long. Journeys to other destinations should also be limited in time.
©Keystone/SDA
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