The Swiss authorisation procedure for the sale of housing systems for farm animals

In 1981 an authorisation procedure for the sale of housing systems for farm animals was introduced in Switzerland. Authorisation shall only be granted if such systems provide proper living conditions for the animals. Requests for authorisations are handled at the two Centres for Proper Housing in Animal Production of the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office, which are situated in Tänikon and ollikofen.<br>Authorisations are only required for a limited number of species (cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, chicken turkeys, ducks, geese and rabbits) and only for. installations with which animals are in frequent contact. Decisions are made on the basis of experience with similar installations, knowledge from literature, visits to farms on which the housing systems are in use and, if necessary, practical tests.<br>The authorisation procedure has led to an improvement of the quality of housing systems for farm animals with regard to animal welfare. In addition, it has promoted research into applied ethology, into the development of methods for the scientific assessment of animal welfare and into new housing systems for farm animals.