On September 25, it’s all about the sausage: that’s when the initiative against factory farming comes to the public. As its name suggests, it seeks to end factory farming and strengthen animal welfare in Switzerland. In addition to smaller stocks of animals per barn and farm, the initiative calls for, among other things, litter and outdoor exercise for all animals and better control of the surprising process during slaughter. These points are supported by SP Councilor Daniel Jositsch, Green National Councilor Meret Schneider or GLP National Councilor Katherine Burtsky.
For the vote, the initiative’s supporting organizations – Sentence, Four Pause, the Franz Weber Foundation and Greenpeace – are now targeting major distributors. With their market power, they play an important role in the “factory farming system” and take great responsibility for the production and consumption of animal products, says campaign manager Philip Ryff: “This means they are re-setting the course.” are able to.”
“Animal Welfare Now!” Campaign
The organizations behind the Factory Farming initiative are showing the direction in which they think major distributors should be called “Animal Welfare Now!” We should go ahead with the campaign. Obvious.
They call on retailers to refrain from euphemistic advertising for animal products and to refrain from future campaigns for meat, dairy products and eggs. Further, industrial poultry farming is not to be further expanded. Last but not least, the campaign requires retailers to set reduction targets for the sale of animal products.
advertising vs reality
Currently, major distributors want to advertise their commitment to animal welfare, says Philipp Raif. The reality is different: “Migros and Coop adorn themselves with their own brands like Nature Beef, which really only make up a small part of the range, while animals, people and the environment suffer from the dominance of cheap meat. “
For this reason, animal protection organizations now wanted to know from major distributors how they wanted to implement the demands of factory farming initiatives and what measures they wanted to take to strengthen animal welfare if people accepted it. .
cop appeased
Retailers’ answers are available for SonntagsBlick. Coop says it has been committed to high animal welfare standards for many years and is a leader in this field. They also rely exclusively on sustainable solutions, with pioneering projects like second-use chicken or label programs. In addition, Coop has set a goal of sourcing approximately 90 percent of animal products from production with “additional value in terms of animal welfare” by 2026. In general, you are guided by the needs of the customers and give them the freedom of choice, “that is why we offer many plant-based products in addition to animal products”.
Migros writes that for many years, the focus has been on presenting livestock farming in posters and TV spots “if so, not in a euphemistic or overly pleasant way.” However, campaigns are important to be able to sell as many cuts of meat as an animal. Migros basically responds to demand with its offer. Poultry meat is currently in high demand: “We don’t see this as our job to deter consumers from eating chicken.” The selection of plant-based protein alternatives in migros branches is also increasing rapidly.
no shortage of meat
Animal rights activists are happy about the latter, but they are not satisfied with the answers from major distributors. “They have recognized the signs of the times, but at the same time they cling to the status quo,” says Philipp Raif.
For example, no company has committed to reducing meat. “By doing so, they stop the change that is already going on and shift the responsibility entirely to consumers.”
