The way meat is sold in this European country is about to change deeply, bringing news that promise to reveal more about the origin and process of food production. This change will cover various products of animal origin and impact the food market significantly.
According to Swissinfo, Switzerland, product labels such as meat, eggs or foie gras will indicate whether animals were subject to painful procedures without anesthesia or stunning during the production process. Among the examples pointed out are the castration and disagree with cattle, the cut of the tail and teeth into pigs, as well as the cutting of the frog legs, all performed without relief from pain.
Mandatory information for all establishments
According to the same source, the obligation to include this information applies to all establishments that market these products, including restaurants, small companies and retail stores. The Swiss government justifies the measure with the objective of “increasing transparency for consumers, allowing them to make informed choices.”
Consumers can thus verify, through labels, if the food they intend to buy respects minimum rules of animal welfare, facilitating decision making.
Prohibited practices
The legislation also includes the foie gras, produced from geese or ducks forcibly fed, forbidden in Switzerland for over 40 years, but still legal in other countries. Products from this method will be clearly identified on labels.
This measure aims to inform the consumer about practices that are considered cruel, promoting greater awareness of the origin of food.
Prohibition of imports of cruel -origin skins
Also according to the same source, imports to the Switzerland of skins and derivative products obtained through cruel animal practices.
Sellers of these products have to ensure that production fulfills current animal welfare standards.
This prohibition reinforces the Swiss policy of defense of animal rights, ensuring that the products marketed respect ethical patterns.
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Impact for consumers and market
The implementation of these rules should impact the local market, as it is responsible for producers and traders regarding animal welfare. According to Swissinfo, this greater transparency in information is expected to allow more conscious choices by consumers.
With this regulation, Switzerland is aligned with other nations that impose more demanding rules on labeling and origin of food, promoting more ethical agricultural and industrial practices.
In addition to the labels, the success of the law will depend on the supervision and strict compliance with the rules, aspects that the Swiss government promises to follow closely.
This initiative may also encourage exporting countries to adopt higher production standards to continue to access the Swiss market.
Thus, Switzerland reinforces its commitment to animal rights and consumer rights to clear information, allowing reasoned decisions.
European food policies
This is another step in the evolution of European food policies, where the concern with ethics and the impact of production practices on animal welfare has been gaining relevance.
For Swiss consumers, it will now be possible, for the first time, to verify directly on labels if foods respect animal treatment criteria.
According to the measure, the measure results from a long process of regulation and public debate and enters into force immediately.
The Swiss government expects this greater transparency to positively influence both domestic and international agricultural practices.
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