Switzerland to step up fight against animal diseases
The government has decided to boost efforts aimed at preventing animal diseases from spreading in Switzerland.
It agreed that “necessary measures” can be taken to combat the possible transmission of tuberculosis to Swiss cattle from contaminated deer in neighbouring Austria.
It also gave the green light for a vaccination campaign for cattle to protect them against lumpy skin disease, a statement (in French/German)External link on Wednesday said.
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In a further measure, the government agreed to extend an animal databaseExternal link to include sheep and goats. Holders of such animals must notify the authorities of births, deaths, imports, exports as well as sales.
Most of the new measures are due to come into force in June. The registration duty will be introduced by 2020.
A similar system has been in place for bovines since 2000. It was later extended to include horses, donkeys and pigs. Four years ago, it also became mandatory to register the slaughter of fowl, sheep and goats.
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