Effective 1 February 2025, new animal welfare regulations will be implemented in Switzerland. The commercial import of pups under 15 weeks of age will be prohibited. Furthermore, adjustments in the areas of farm animals and animal testing are supposed to lead to an improvement in animal welfare. The Federal Council adopted the corresponding amendments to the Animal Protection Ordinance (APO) on 20 December 2024 according to its press release.

In the area of farm animals, a new regulation shall enable the industry to phase out chick culling. This pertains to a technique in laying hen breeding when several male chicks are euthanised post-hatching due to their lack of use. The modification to the Animal Protection Ordinance considers novel techniques that enable early sex determination in eggs. This indicates that male eggs may be segregated before to hatching.

Furthermore, the management and care of laboratory animals is also subject to amended APO provisions designed to increase animal welfare. Inter alia, the obligation to report laboratory animals is being extended, which is intended to lead to greater transparency regarding the animals used.