The demand for an import ban on furs produced under conditions of animal cruelty has been the subject of political debates and initiatives time and again in years past. Most recently, a motion to this effect by National Councillor Matthias Aebischer (SP/BE) failed in the Council of States last May, after the National Council had previously spoken out in favour of the issue with a clear majority (see news item of 30.5.2022). To the present day, the Federal Council has opposed such an import ban. In February 2020, for example, it stated in its response to the Aebischer motion that it would instead rely on the declaration obligation that has been in force since 2014 and the transparency that this would bring for consumers. The Council also raised doubts about the WTO conformity of the measure and possible enforcement difficulties as further reasons for its stance.

But now the Federal Council has apparently changed its view. In its corresponding press release it referred, in particular, to the fact that the industry continues to implement the declaration obligation for fur products inadequately, despite several contacts, admonitions and fines on the part of the federal government. In 2021 and 2022, two thirds of the sales outlets inspected failed to comply with the labelling regulations (see news item of 18.10.2022 (in German)). Already in the parliamentary debate on the Aebischer motion, Federal Councillor Alain Berset had announced that the Federal Council would take stock of the benefits of the declaration obligation and then - depending on the outcome - consider an import ban. However, this was not planned until 2024.

Furthermore, TIR approves of the introduction of a declaration requirement for animal products obtained without eliminating pain and for products obtained by force-feeding geese and ducks, which was also announced by the Federal Council. Nevertheless, TIR believes that an import ban would also be appropriate with regard to these products. It therefore appeals to the Council of States to accept the motion of National Councillor Martin Haab (SVP/ZH) for an import ban on foie gras produced in a cruel manner, despite the Federal Council's announcement, and thus to follow the National Council, which already approved the motion last year with a large majority (see news item of 1.3.2022 (in German)).