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Art. 15 – Principles

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Art. 15

Principles22

1

Animals must be transported under protected conditions and without unnecessary delay. The travelling time from the place of loading must not be more than six hours. The Federal Council shall issue the exception provisions.

2

Having consulted the industry organisations, the Federal Council shall regulate requirements for the continuing education and training of personnel entrusted with the commercial transport of animals.

  1. 22 Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055).
Legal act context
SR 455 · AniWA · Federal act · Animal Welfare Act of 16 December 2005 (AniWA)
Structure path
Chapter 2 Handling of Animals Section 4 Animal Transport
Language
English (en)
Data status
2023-09-01

Available language versions

Deutschde Françaisfr Italianoit Englishen Rumantschrm

The official sources and versions published by the competent authorities remain authoritative.

Contents of this enactment

Document textGeneral document text1ArticlesRegular articles in this version56
Document text1
Articles56
1Chapter 1 General Provisions
Art. 1 – PurposeArt. 1 Purpose The purpose of this Act is to protect the dignity and welfare of animals. Direct link
Art. 2 – ScopeArt. 2 Scope 1 The present Act applies to vertebrates. The Federal Council decides to which invertebrates it applies and to what extent. In doing so, it is guided by scientific knowledge on the sentience of invertebrate… Direct link
Art. 3 – DefinitionsArt. 3 Definitions In this Act: a. dignity means the inherent worth of the animal that must be respected when dealing with it. If any strain imposed on the animal cannot be justified by overriding interests, this consti… Direct link
Art. 4 – PrinciplesArt. 4 Principles 1 Any person who handles animals must: a. take account of their needs as well as possible; and b. ensure their well-being as far as the intended purpose permits. 2 No person may inflict pain, suffering… Direct link
Art. 5 – Training and informationArt. 5 Training and information 1 The federal government may promote the continuing education and training of persons who handle animals. 1bis The Federal Council may provide for certain training and education activitie… Direct link
1Chapter 2 Handling of Animals
2Section 1 Animal Husbandry
Art. 6 – General provisionsArt. 6 General provisions 1 Any person who keeps or looks after animals must feed and care for them properly and provide them with the activities and freedom of movement needed for their well-being as well as shelter wh… Direct link
Art. 7 – Reporting and authorisation requirements, bansArt. 7 Reporting and authorisation requirements, bans Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan.… Direct link
Art. 8 – Investment protectionArt. 8 Investment protection Following construction, buildings and installations for farm animals licensed in accordance with this Act may be used for at least their normal depreciable life. Direct link
Art. 9 – Animal care workersArt. 9 Animal care workers The Federal Council may define the areas other than agriculture in which the use of animal care workers is necessary. Direct link
2Section 2 Animal Breeding and Genetic Modification
Art. 10 – Breeding and production of animalsArt. 10 Breeding and production of animals 1 The use of natural and artificial methods of breeding and reproduction must not cause any pain, suffering, harm or behavioural disorders in the parent animals or their offspr… Direct link
Art. 11 – Authorisation requirement for genetically modified animalsArt. 11 Authorisation requirement for genetically modified animals 1 Any person who produces, breeds, keeps, manages or trades in genetically modified animals requires cantonal authorisation. Any person who produces, br… Direct link
Art. 12 – Reporting requirementArt. 12 Reporting requirement 1 The cantonal authority must be notified of genetically modified animals that experience pain, suffering or harm, or develop behavioural disorders as a result of production or breeding or… Direct link
2Section 3 Trade in Animals and Animal Products
Art. 13 – Authorisation and reporting requirementArt. 13 Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Authorisa… Direct link
Art. 14 – Conditions, restrictions and bansArt. 14 Conditions, restrictions and bans Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 20… Direct link
2Section 4 Animal Transport
Art. 15 – PrinciplesArt. 15 Principles Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 705… Current article Direct link
Art. 15a – International animal transportArt. 15a Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Intern… Direct link
2Section 5 Interventions performed on Animals
Art. 16Art. 16 Painful interventions may only be performed under general or local anaesthesia administered by a specialist. The Federal Council shall determine any exceptions. It shall determine which persons are deemed to be… Direct link
2Section 6 Animal Experiments
Art. 17 – Limitation to the indispensable minimumArt. 17 Limitation to the indispensable minimum Animal experiments which inflict pain, suffering or harm on animals, induce anxiety in them, substantially impair their general well-being or which may disregard their dig… Direct link
Art. 18 – Authorisation requirementArt. 18 Authorisation requirement 1 Any person who wishes to conduct animal experiments requires authorisation from the responsible cantonal authorities. 2 Activities as defined in the last sentence of Article 11 paragr… Direct link
Art. 19 – RequirementsArt. 19 Requirements 1 The Federal Council shall define the requirements to be satisfied by institutes and laboratories in which animal experiments may be conducted in terms of the continuing education and training of p… Direct link
Art. 20 – Conduct of experimentsArt. 20 Conduct of experiments 1 Pain, suffering or harm may be inflicted on, or anxiety induced in, animals only if this is unavoidable for the purpose of the experiment. 2 Experiments on animals higher on the evolutio… Direct link
Art. 20a – Providing information to the publicArt. 20a Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 May 2014 (AS 2012 6279, 2013 3707; BBl 2011 7055). Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 May 2014 (AS 2012 6279, 2013 3707; BB… Direct link
2Section 6a Animal Experiment Information System
Art. 20b – Purpose and contentArt. 20b Purpose and content 1 The federal government operates an information system to support the statutory tasks of the federal government and the cantons relating to animal experiments. 2 The information system cont… Direct link
Art. 20c – Access rightsArt. 20c Access rights 1 The following individuals may, in the course of their statutory duties, process personal data, including sensitive personal data, and access them online: Amended by Annex 1 No II 39 of the Data… Direct link
Art. 20d – FeesArt. 20d Fees The federal government levies fees on the cantons for using the information system. The fees are set by the Federal Council. Direct link
Art. 20e – Supplementary regulationsArt. 20e Supplementary regulations The Federal Council regulates: a. cooperation with the cantons; b. the data catalogue; c. responsibilities for data processing; d. access rights, specifically the scope of access grant… Direct link
2Section 7 Slaughter of Animals
Art. 21Art. 21 1 Mammals may not be slaughtered unless they have been stunned before the start of exsanguination. 2 The Federal Council may also stipulate that other animals must be stunned before they are slaughtered. 3 The F… Direct link
1Chapter 3 Research
Art. 22Art. 22 1 The federal government shall carry out and support scientific research of relevance to animal welfare. 2 In collaboration with universities and industry, the federal government shall in particular promote the… Direct link
1Chapter 4 Administrative and Public Authority Appeals
Art. 23 – Ban on the keeping of animalsArt. 23 Ban on the keeping of animals 1 The competent authorities may ban from housing, breeding, trading in or working professionally with animals, for a specified or unspecified period, persons who: a. have been convi… Direct link
Art. 24 – Regulatory interventionArt. 24 Regulatory intervention 1 If it is found that animals are being neglected or housed under completely unsuitable conditions, the competent authorities must intervene immediately. They may confiscate the animals a… Direct link
Art. 25 – Public authority appealArt. 25 Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055 Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055 Public author… Direct link
1Chapter 5 Criminal Provisions
Art. 26 – Mistreatment of animalsArt. 26 Mistreatment of animals 1 A custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty shall be imposed on any person who wilfully: Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (… Direct link
Art. 27 – Offences relating to trade with animals and animal productsArt. 27 Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Offences… Direct link
Art. 28 – Other offencesArt. 28 Other offences 1 Any person who wilfully does any of the following is liable to a fine of up to CHF 20,000 unless Article 26 is applicable: Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (… Direct link
Art. 29 – Statute of limitationsArt. 29 Statute of limitations The statute of limitations is five years for the prosecution of contraventions and four years for the penalties for contraventions. Direct link
Art. 30 – Legal entities and partnershipsArt. 30 Legal entities and partnerships Article 6 of the Federal Act of 22 March 1974SR 313.0 on Administrative Criminal Law applies. SR 313.0 Direct link
Art. 31 – ProsecutionArt. 31 Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Oct. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). See also Article 45a below. Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Oct. 2013 (AS 2012 627… Direct link
1Chapter 6 Final Provisions
2Section 1 Enforcement
Art. 32 – Enforcement by the federal government and cantonsArt. 32 Enforcement by the federal government and cantons 1 The Federal Council shall issue enforcement regulations. It may authorise the FSVO to issue implementing regulations of a technical nature. Second sentence ame… Direct link
Art. 32a – International cooperationArt. 32a Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Intern… Direct link
Art. 32b – OppositionArt. 32b Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Opposi… Direct link
Art. 33 – Cantonal technical officeArt. 33 Cantonal technical office Each canton must set up a technical office for which the cantonal veterinary officer is responsible and which is suitable for ensuring that this Act and the regulations issued on the ba… Direct link
Art. 34 – Cantonal Committee on Animal ExperimentsArt. 34 Cantonal Committee on Animal Experiments 1 Each canton shall appoint a committee of experts for animal experiments which is independent of the authorisation authority and in which the animal welfare organisation… Direct link
Art. 35 – Federal Committee on Animal ExperimentsArt. 35 Federal Committee on Animal Experiments 1 The Federal Council shall appoint a committee of experts for animal experiments. It shall advise the FSVO and make itself available to the cantons for questions of a fun… Direct link
Art. 35a – Examination boardsArt. 35a Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Examin… Direct link
Art. 36 – Animal experiment statisticsArt. 36 Animal experiment statistics The FSVO shall publish annual statistics on all animal experiments conducted in Switzerland. Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl… Direct link
Art. 37 – Agreement on objectivesArt. 37 Agreement on objectives The Federal Council may conclude agreements with the cantons on objectives for the enforcement of parts of this Act. Direct link
Art. 38 – Co-determination of organisations and companiesArt. 38 Co-determination of organisations and companies 1 The federal government and cantons may consult organisations and companies on enforcement of the Act or may establish organisations suitable for this purpose. 2… Direct link
Art. 39 – Right of accessArt. 39 Right of access The authorities instructed to enforce this Act shall have access to premises, facilities, vehicles, objects and animals; in doing so, they act as an agency of the police. Direct link
Art. 40 – Supervision by the federal governmentArt. 40 Supervision by the federal government Enforcement of this Act by the cantons is supervised on behalf of the federal government by the Federal Department of Home Affairs. Expression in accordance with No I 14 of… Direct link
Art. 41 – FeesArt. 41 Fees 1 Unless it stipulates otherwise, this Act is enforced free of charge. 2 The cantons are authorised to levy fees for: a. authorisations and official decisions; b. inspections which have resulted in complain… Direct link
Art. 42 – Cantonal regulationsArt. 42 Cantonal regulations 1 If this Act requires supplementation by cantonal law for the purposes of implementation, the cantons are obliged to draw up the relevant regulations. 2 The cantons shall notify the Federal… Direct link
2Section 2 Repeal of Existing Law and Transitional Provisions
Art. 43 – Repeal of existing lawArt. 43 Repeal of existing law The Animal Welfare Act of 9 March 1978 [AS 1981 562; 1991 2345; 1995 1469 Art. 59 No 1; 2003 4181, 4803 Annex No 3, 2006 2197 Annex No 45] is repealed. [AS 1981 562; 1991 2345; 1995 1469 A… Direct link
Art. 44 – Transitional provision to Article 16Art. 44 Transitional provision to Article 16 The surgical castration of piglets without anaesthetic is forbidden as from 1 January 2009. If no practical alternative method is available by this date, the Federal Council… Direct link
Art. 45 – Transitional provision with regard to rights of appealArt. 45 Transitional provision with regard to rights of appeal Until the commencement of the Administrative Court Act of 17 June 2005SR 173.32. This Act entered into force on 1 Jan. 2007., rights of appeal are regulated… Direct link
Art. 45a – Coordination provisionArt. 45a Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Coordi… Direct link
2Section 3 Referendum and Commencement
Art. 46Art. 46 1 This Act is subject to an optional referendum. 2 It will not be published in the Federal Gazette until the popular initiative «For modern animal welfare (Say yes to animal welfare!)» has been withdrawn or reje… Direct link

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