Campaigners on Tuesday submitted more than 100,000 signatures for their proposal forcing a nationwide ballot on the issue.
They argue that intensive animal farming is cruel and contributes to climate change, as well as hunger and water scarcity.
“Switzerland imports 1.2 million tonnes of animal feed every year to produce the necessary quantity of animal products,” said Vera Weber, president of the Franz Weber environmental foundation.
The allianceExternal link also criticised the conditions animals are held in intensive livestock farming.
“Fifty percent of all piglets raised in Switzerland are slaughtered without ever seeing the sky,” Meret Schneider of the animal rights think-tank Sentience Politics told the Swiss news agency, Keystone-SDA.
Parliament is due to discuss the initiative before the government sets a date for a nationwide vote on the issue.
The proposal is the latest in a series on Swiss agriculture. Last year, voters rejected an initiative to encourage farmers not to systematically de-horn their cows and goats.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
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St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
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The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
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The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
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In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
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As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
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After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
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A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
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The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
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Future of farming at risk, says farmers’ association president
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Markus Ritter of the Swiss Farmers’ Association said on Monday that to meet agricultural demand, 43,000 working farms will still be needed by 2030.
Fewer Swiss farms and dairy cows, more egg-layers and goats
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Last year 768 farmers in Switzerland called it quits, while others increased their livestock numbers and production of organic food.
Farmers slam think tank report on the future of Swiss agriculture
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A report claiming that Swiss agricultural policy is too expensive and should be reformed, has been heavily criticised by the main farmers’ group.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.