On September 25th, “The Swiss people will vote on three issues: the factory farming initiative,” according to an official Swiss government website. Two other unrelated pieces of legislature will also be voted on that day.
Switzerland’s legislation on the protection of animals is amongst the strictest in the world. The dignity and welfare of animals are protected, regardless of how many animals are kept in one place. The Confederation also encourages forms of agricultural production that are particularly close to nature, environmentally friendly and animal-friendly. This is required under the Constitution. More and more farm animals live in specially animal-friendly pens and have regular access to the outdoors.
The initiative wants to make protecting the dignity of farm animals such as cattle, chickens or pigs a constitutional requirement. It also aims to ban factory farming because it systematically harms the welfare of animals. The federal government would have to set stricter minimum requirements for animal-friendly housing and care, access to the outdoors, slaughtering practices and the maximum group size per pen. These requirements would have to meet the Bio Suisse standards for 2018 as a minimum, and all farms would have to comply with the new rules in their animal husbandry. The requirements would also apply to the import of animals and animal products as well as foods with ingredients of animal origin. This would be in breach of agreements with important trading partners. It would result in higher investment and operating costs, costly inspections of foreign farms and an increase in the price of food of animal origin.
The bill’s proposition
Commenting on the news, Jasmijn de Boo, Vice President of ProVeg International, said in a statement:
This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Switzerland to lead the way in Europe and start to reform the outdated agricultural system. Factory farming should no longer be tolerated today not only because of the suffering it causes to animals but also because of its huge environmental impact.
Factory farming is responsible for agricultural run-off and mass river pollution, greenhouse gas emissions including the much more dangerous gas methane, compacted soil as well as increased risk in antimicrobial resistance and crops wasted on animal feed. If Swiss people vote to ban factory farming next week it would represent a significant in-road into the reduction of meat production which is so very urgently needed.
We urge EU lawmakers to look at similar measures restricting factory farming so that Switzerland does not face obstacles to trade and a level-playing field is created for all farmers, both arable and livestock.
However, it would appear support for the bill may be starting to dwindle.
Results of the latest opinion poll courtesy of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), indicates that the ‘nay’ is slightly edging out those in favor.
The data from our poll leaves no doubt that the initiative will most likely flop.
Lukas Golder, co-director of the leading GfS Bern institute, which carried out the survey, said, according to Swiss Info
The Swiss Times also pointed out that if this bill does pass, it could potentially create problems with the World Trade Organization (WTO). The outlet wrote:
According to the voting text, the Bio-Suisse guidelines or an equally strict standard must be observed in the production of animal products in the future. Not only domestic goods are affected, but also imports from abroad. This means that, for example, chicken, cheese or food with ingredients of animal origin may only be imported from abroad if they meet the Bio Suisse requirements.
As the “NZZ” writes, the Federal Council fears that the import ban on products that do not meet the Bio-Suisse label will violate the rules of the WTO. According to the international organization, import restrictions that only relate to the manufacturing method of goods are prohibited. The only exceptions are import bans imposed to protect the life and health of humans and animals or to promote public morals.
But opinions differ as to whether the exception article can be applied to the factory farming initiative and whether Switzerland is not breaking public international law, international law. The initiators clearly say yes. Experts disagree as to whether the measures are proportionate and therefore WTO-compliant. However, the Federal Council is of the opinion that the hurdles for justifying the exceptional article in the event of a dispute are high. Should Switzerland lose the legal dispute, it must expect countermeasures for its export products.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
Meanwhile, Switzerland also intends on jailing and fining people for heating their homes above a low temperature: “Switzerland Considers Jailing Residents Who Heat Their Rooms More Than 19°C And Banning Portable Heaters.”
Though it appears this bill will flop, we all know a lot can change in a flash; and, rigged elections are not too far-fetched.
I have discussed before that conventional, feedlot, factory farming and agriculture, is very unhealthy and toxic, especially in the long term. Take beef for example: conventionally-raised beef fed with GMO grains, confined to tight quarters in a feedlot, heavily steroided, vaccinated, and injected with plenty of antibiotics – is not conducive to optimal health, and, is in fact bad for the environment. You know how vegans are always shoot’n their mouths off about all these “studies” that show meat, fats, and dairy are evil, right? Well, these biased and disingenuous studies are basing their findings on these feedlot meats (and a lot of it is still just fabricated). BUT, cattle exclusively eating only grass on a pasture, especially if it is done regeneratively, without all the other medications, is extremely healthy and helps replenish and repair the land. Vegans don’t want you to know that.
New Study Shows That Regenerative Agriculture Boosts Nutrient Density
[7] The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. [9] As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. Proverbs 26:7, 9
Bearing that in mind, this bill, if passed, is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it would eliminate poor treatment of these animals, and would force the unhealthy stuff off the markets, allowing cleaner and healthier meats to take precedence.
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Proverbs 12:10
However, if passed, the famine this would create would be great I assume. I know if that happened in America, for example, most of the population would starve and die as a result, and would eventually be coerced into eating the plant-based and gene-edited slop – which is of course the goal.
[1] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.1 Timothy 4:1-3
We know what the end goal will be. So, if this bill fails now, prohibition on eating meat will happen by hook or by crook, unfortunately. When that will be is a different story, but I have my theories…
Nevertheless, we shall what transpires, what the reaction will be for either result.
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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Things are heating up over in Canada https://www.bitchute.com/video/h3cekHYfByAY/