CH
Ordinance of October 31, 2012, on Breeding (OB) - Object (TZV)
Table of Provisions (52)
Statutory Text (52 Articles)
This ordinance governs: a. the recognition of breeding organizations and private breeding enterprises; b. the granting of contributions to breeding; c. the granting of contributions for the preservation of Swiss breeds; d. the granting of contributions for research projects; dbis. the tasks of the Swiss National Stud; e. the marketing of breeding animals, their semen, unfertilized eggs, and embryos; f. the importation of breeding and livestock animals, as well as bull semen within the framework of tariff quotas.
For the purposes of this ordinance, the following terms are defined as: a. herd-book: a genealogical registry maintained by a recognized breeding organization, recording breeding animals to establish proof of their lineage and performance; b. performance test: a process for determining an animal's performance and health, including the quality of its products; c. breeding value estimation: a scientifically recognized statistical process according to applicable zootechnical rules that estimates an animal's genetic value relative to animals of the same population; d. genetic evaluation: a simplified process for estimating an animal's genetic value relative to a reference population; e. establishment period: a maximum period of three generation intervals, defined in the breeding program to establish the herd-book when creating a new breed; f. reference day: the decisive day for the census of animals registered in the herd-book that entitles contributions; g. reference period: the period during which the zootechnical measures entitling contributions were carried out; h. insemination center: a station authorized by the cantonal veterinarian, intended for the collection of semen for artificial insemination; i. stallion performance test: a test intended to select the best breeding stallions from a given population; j. registered foal: a foal registered in a breeding organization's herd-book with a name and identification number; k. identified foal: a foal under the mother described by means of a verbal and graphical description; l. non-herd-book animals: animals registered in a breeding organization's herd-book but not conforming to the defined breed standard; m. queen: the mother of all bees in a colony whose drones are not used for queen fertilization; n. drone hive queen: the mother of a colony whose drones are used for queen fertilization.
Recognized breeding organizations must maintain accounting records that demonstrate how contributions have been used for various zootechnical measures. Breeders must contribute at least 20% to the total cost of the zootechnical measures of their recognized breeding organization.
The contributions referred to in this ordinance are granted upon request.
The deadlines for submitting applications, the reference days, and the reference periods are listed in Annex 1.
Contributions are granted only after the submission of an account of the services provided. For contributions to zootechnical measures, the account also serves as an application. The deadlines for the submission of accounts are set in Annex 1.
Applications and accounts must be sent to the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) using the forms provided for this purpose.
The FOAG may modify Annex 1.
An organization is recognized upon request as a breeding organization for each breed or population of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, Asian buffaloes, rabbits, poultry, New World camelids, or honey bees when it: a. is designed as a mutual aid organization and is composed of active breeders; b. possesses legal personality and its headquarters are located in Switzerland; c. has legally valid statutes enabling, provided the statutory conditions are met, the affiliation of: 1. any breeder, and 2. any breeding association and any breeding syndicate, provided that collective members are foreseen; d. has specific breeding goals to conduct breeding with a breed and a population, justified by a breeding program; e. manages a single centralized herd book that maintains records concerning the breeds or populations in accordance with Art. 7; f. conducts performance tests in accordance with Art. 8; g. conducts breeding value estimates in accordance with Art. 9; h. conducts genetic evaluations in accordance with Art. 10 in lieu of breeding value estimates, insofar as the size of a breed or population is not sufficiently significant and a breeding value estimate is not scientifically justifiable according to the prevailing zootechnical standards; i. has a sufficiently large stock of a breed or population to conduct an improvement program or to guarantee preservation work for the breed; j. ensures the correct execution, from the staff, technical, organizational, and financial perspectives, of zootechnical activities, and maintains a unique accounting system for the zootechnical measures of all managed breeds and populations; k. carries out its zootechnical activities neutrally and in accordance with generally recognized international standards; l. if it manages a subsidiary herd book, respects the principles established by the organization managing the herd book regarding the origin of the horse breed.
An organization is not recognized as a breeding organization for a specific breed if one or more organizations are already recognized for that same breed and recognition may endanger the preservation of that breed or the functioning of the breeding program of an existing organization.
An organization for the implementation of Swiss breed preservation projects is recognized when it: a. fulfills the conditions set out in para. 1, let. b, c, and j, or b. fulfills the conditions set out in para. 1, let. b and j, and mentions in its statutes or founding document the preservation of endangered Swiss breeds.
A breeding organization or a private breeding enterprise maintaining registers for hybrid swine reproducers shall be recognized upon application if it: a. has its own legal personality and is headquartered in Switzerland; b. possesses legally valid statutes; c. has specific breeding objectives justified by a breeding program; d. maintains or establishes a register and is capable of carrying out the required checks; e. conducts performance tests according to Art. 8; f. conducts breeding value estimations according to Art. 9; g. has a sufficiently large livestock to implement an improvement program; h. ensures the correct execution of zootechnical activities in terms of personnel, technology, organization, and finances, and maintains a unique accounting for the zootechnical measures of all managed breeds and populations; i. operates its zootechnical activities neutrally and in accordance with generally internationally recognized standards.
The statutes of a breeding organization must allow for the affiliation, provided that the statutory conditions are met, of: a. any breeder, and b. any breeding association and any breeding union, to the extent that collective members are provided for.
Art. 5 applies to breeding organizations that maintain a herd-book for hybrid swine reproducers in addition to purebred swine reproducers.
The herd-book collects data related to the ancestry, identification, quantitative and qualitative performance, and morphology of breeding animals.
The identification number is the ear tag number for cloven-hoofed animals and the Universal Equine Life Number (UELN) for equines.
In addition to purebred subjects, the herd-book may admit, in separate sections or chapters, hybrid animals or those of unknown ancestry that possess distinctive characteristics of the breed concerned.
Within a section or chapter, animals may be registered separately according to quality classes, considering their ancestry, identification, and performance.
Recognized carriers of hereditary defects must be designated as such in the herd-book and be reported to breeders.
Breeding organizations must establish in regulations how the herd-book should be kept. The regulations must include at least provisions on the following points: a. definition of breed characteristics; b. definition of breeding objectives; c. uniform marking of animals, provided that it is not already prescribed under Art. 10 or 15 a of the Ordinance of June 27, 1995, on Epizootics; d. recording of data on animal ancestry; e. evaluation of herd-book data, animal assessment, performance test results, and estimation of breeding or genetic evaluation; f. minimum requirements for the registration of animals in a defined section or chapter of the herd-book; g. requirements related to admission to the herd-book as well as the right to reproduction.
Performance testing is conducted to record and highlight the performance, health, and morphology of an animal, insofar as these elements are significant in terms of breeding, business economics, and animal health. Performance testing takes into account internationally recognized scientific methods. Breeding organizations, hybrid pig breeding organizations, and private hybrid pig breeding companies must establish the following in their regulations: a. the designation of the performance test and the number of animals examined; b. the procedure used for performance testing; c. characteristics to be recorded and examination procedure used; d. admission conditions; e. dates and duration of the tests and the period during which the performance test is conducted; f. procedure for evaluating the results of the characteristics examined; g. procedure when the test concerns the product of a crossbreed; h. controls to ensure the quality of the test results; i. communication of test results to members of the organization.
Breeding value estimates must be scientifically justifiable in accordance with the current zootechnical standards. Breeding organizations, hybrid pig breeding organizations, and private hybrid pig breeding enterprises must establish the following points in their regulations: a. type and scope of the breeding value estimate; b. procedure for estimating breeding value; c. data used for estimation and data exchange; d. dates of evaluations; e. quality assurance measures; f. conditions for the publication and communication of the breeding value estimate results to the organization's members.
The genetic evaluations of animals must be justifiable according to the applicable zootechnical rules.
The genetic value of breeding animals must be expressed as a deviation from a comparison mean.
Breeding organizations, hybrid pig breeding organizations, and private hybrid pig breeding companies must specify the following in their regulations: a. type and scope of the genetic evaluation; b. procedure of the genetic evaluation; c. data used for the evaluation and data exchange; d. dates of evaluations; e. quality assurance measures; f. conditions for the publication and communication of the genetic evaluation results to the organization's members.
The application for recognition as a breeding organization, accompanied by the necessary documents, must be submitted to the FOAG using the designated form.
Recognition is limited to a maximum of ten years. If a new application is submitted no later than six months before the expiration of the recognition, the FOAG will issue a decision before the recognition expires.
Equine breeding organizations that issue equine passports must, alongside the new application referred to in para. 2, submit a new application for recognition as a passport issuance service pursuant to Art. 15 d bis, para. 4, of the June 27, 1995 Ordinance on Epizootics.
Any changes related to the conditions that justified the recognition must be communicated to the FOAG within three months.
The FOAG publishes the list of recognized breeding organizations.
A recognized Swiss breeding organization wishing to extend its activities to a member state of the European Union (EU) must submit an application to this effect to the FOAG. The FOAG then invites the competent foreign authority to provide its position within a period of three months.
Breeding organizations based in the EU and recognized by the competent authority of an EU member state do not need to be recognized in Switzerland.
They may become active in Switzerland if the FOAG approves the application for extension of activity submitted by the competent authority of the member state.
The application is rejected if: a. one or more organizations are already recognized in Switzerland for the breed in question and approval is likely to endanger the preservation of the breed or the operation of the breeding program of an existing organization, or b. the equines of the breed in question can be registered in a specific section of a herd-book maintained by an organization recognized in Switzerland, which particularly respects for this section the principles established by the organization that maintains the herd-book on the origin of the said breed.
The FOAG publishes the list of foreign breeding organizations that are active in Switzerland.
Within the framework of available resources for this section, recognized breeding organizations are supported by contributions for zootechnical measures concerning the following animals: a. cattle, including Asian buffalo; b. equids; c. swine; d. sheep; e. goats; f. New World camelids; g. honey bees.
Support is provided through: a. contributions for maintaining the herd-book; b. contributions for performance testing.
No contribution is granted to private breeding enterprises that maintain or establish a register for hybrid swine breeders nor to foreign breeding organizations.
The FOAG publishes the contributions disbursed per breeding organization as well as per measure.
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The contribution for cattle breeding, including water buffaloes, is as follows: a. for herd-book management: 12 francs per animal registered in the herd-book b. for performance testing: 1. for morphological assessment with linear description and classification 9 francs 2. milk samples: – per milk sample examined according to the ICAR A4 method – per milk sample examined according to the ICAR AT4, ATM4, ATM4/7d, or AZ4 method – per milk sample examined according to the ICAR B or C method 5 francs 3.50 francs 2.20 francs 3. for meat performance control according to the ICAR method 26 francs 4. for the initial diagnosis during health control according to the ICAR method 1 franc.
Contributions for morphological assessment are granted for methods applied according to an international standard for linear description and classification.
Half of the contribution per milk sample is granted for cows that are part of an operation affiliated with the herd-book: a. that are non-herd-book animals, or b. for which milk control is carried out without examination of milk composition.
No contribution per milk sample is granted for cows that are part of an operation affiliated with the herd-book, when the conditions set out in para. 4, let. a and b, are met.
The contribution per milk sample collected as part of milk control is granted for each cow raised in an operation affiliated with the herd-book. The recognized breeding organization informs the FOAG whether the granting should be quarterly or annually.
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Contributions are paid for a maximum of three initial diagnoses during health control per reference period and per animal.
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The contribution for equine breeding amounts to: a. for herd-book management: per foal identified and registered in the herd-book 400 francs b. for performance tests: 1. per stallion performance test at a station 2. per stallion performance test in the field 650 francs50 francs.
A contribution is granted for foals identified and registered in the herd-book provided that they: a. are no more than one year old and their parents and grandparents are recorded or mentioned in the herd-book; b. are descendants of stallions admitted as breeding stallions by the federation, and c. are registered in the animal traffic data bank.
If the recognized breeding organization does not conduct an estimation of breeding value, only half of the contribution is granted for each foal identified and registered in the herd-book.
The contribution for the stallion performance test is granted only once in a stallion's lifetime.
The contribution for the stallion performance test in the field is granted if: a. the test lasts at least one day; b. the test is exclusively for stallions; c. only a small number of breeding stallions are selected, and d. the test consists of a preliminary selection immediately followed by a final performance test.
The contribution for the stallion performance test at a station is granted if: a. the test at the station lasts at least thirty days; b. the test is exclusively for stallions; c. the test consists of a preliminary selection and a final performance test at the station, and d. the stallions do not leave the station during the test period.
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The contribution for pig breeding is set at: a. for herd-book management: per animal registered in the herd-book 150 francs b. for performance tests: 1. per field test including an ultrasound measurement and weight determination 4 francs 2. per field test including a linear description and weight determination 4 francs 3. per field test including an ultrasound measurement, a linear description and weight determination 6 francs 4. per station test 450 francs 5. per field test concerning boar taint 70 francs.
A maximum amount of 500,000 francs per year is allocated for the necessary infrastructure for station tests, for the collection and evaluation of fertility and slaughter data, for genetic marker typing, and for the publication and dissemination of zootechnical results.
If the recognized breeding organization does not perform an estimation of the breeding value, only half of the contribution is granted for each animal registered in the herd-book.
The contribution for the station test is granted when it includes recording of weight gain, consumption index, carcass quality, as well as at least three criteria regarding meat and fat quality during a fattening period compliant with practice. The following examinations entitle to a contribution: a. sibling testing; b. boar testing; c. terminal product testing; d. free testing groups including a defined breeding program for non-herd-book animals.
Half of the contribution is granted per station test for free testing groups including a defined breeding program.
The field test regarding boar taint includes at a minimum the determination of androstenone and skatole.
The contribution for sheep breeding excluding dairy ewes amounts to: a. for herd-book management: per animal registered in the herd-book 21 francs b. for performance tests: per nutrient capacity test 12 francs
The contribution for the nutrient capacity tests is granted provided that the birth weight is recorded in accordance with practice and that at least one control weighing has been conducted between the 35th and 45th day after birth.
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The contribution for goat breeding and dairy sheep breeding amounts to: a. for herd-book management: per animal registered in the herd-book 35 francs b. for performance testing: 1. milk samples: – per milk sample examined according to the ICAR A4 method – per milk sample examined according to the ICAR AT4, ATM4 or ATM4/7d method – per milk sample examined according to the ICAR B or C method 2. per feed conversion efficiency test 6 francs 4.50 francs 3.20 francs 26 francs.
Half of the contribution per milk sample is granted for goats and dairy sheep that are part of a farm affiliated with the herd-book: a. that are non-herd-book animals, or b. for which milk control is carried out without examination of milk composition.
No contribution per milk sample is granted for goats and dairy sheep when the conditions set out in para. 3, let. a and b, are met.
The contribution per milk sample collected within the framework of milk control is granted for each goat and dairy sheep bred in a farm affiliated with the herd-book. The granting is carried out annually.
The contribution for feed conversion efficiency tests is granted provided that the birth weight is recorded in accordance with practice and at least one control weighing has been carried out between the 35th and 45th day after birth.
The contribution for the breeding of New World camelids amounts to 18 francs per animal registered in the herd-book for the management of the herd-book.
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The contribution for honeybee breeding amounts to: a. herdbook management: 1. per queen 2. per determination of racial purity with DNA analysis 3. per determination of racial purity with wing determination (cubital index) 4. per mating station A 5. per mating station B 50 90 830 00 500 francs francs francs francs francs b. performance tests: 1. per performance test in the test apiary with a veiled ring test and the execution of a breeding value estimation 2. per performance test in the test apiary with an open ring test and the execution of a breeding value estimation 440 180 francs francs.
The contribution per queen is paid if she has completed an open or veiled ring test and is entered in the herdbook.
The contribution for the determination of racial purity is paid for: a. queens that have completed a performance test; b. drone-producing queens at A-mating stations; c. drone-producing queens whose drones are used for artificial insemination.
The contribution for the determination of racial purity is paid only once per queen and drone-producing queen. No contribution is paid if contributions have already been paid under Article 23c paragraph 2 letter f.
If the determination of racial purity is carried out using DNA analysis, it must be performed according to a scientifically and internationally recognized method based on single nucleotide genotyping.
The contribution for a mating station is paid if at least 100 young queens are brought to the mating station in the contribution year.
Contributions referred to in Art. 15 to 21 that amount to less than 50,000 francs per year for a recognized breeding organization are not allocated. Exceptions are made for contributions to Swiss breed breeding organizations. When organizations or companies carry out zootechnical measures on behalf of one or more recognized breeding organizations, the threshold of 50,000 francs applies individually to each recognized breeding organization.
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For the contributions referred to in Art. 15 to 21, the recognized breeding organizations must communicate to the FOAG, no later than October 31 preceding the contribution year, the estimated number of animals registered in the herd-book, performance tests, and foals identified and registered in the herd-book. The communication must be made using the form provided for this purpose. The FOAG publishes the reported figures.
Zootechnical measures entitle a contribution only for animals whose owner is an active member (individual or collective member) of a recognized breeding organization during the contribution year and domiciled in Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein.
A zootechnical measure entitles only one contribution per animal per year.
Contributions per animal registered in the herd-book referred to in Art. 15 and 17 to 20 are granted for animals: a. whose parents and grandparents are registered or mentioned in a herd-book of the same breed, and b. that have a blood percentage of 87.5% or more of the corresponding breed.
In addition to the requirements of para. 6: a. female cattle and pigs have at least one birth registered in the herd-book; b. boars have at least one mating recorded in the herd-book; c. bulls are at least nine months old; d. sheep and goats are at least six months old; e. New World camelids are at least eight months old.
Half of the contribution is granted for animals registered in the herd-book that do not meet the requirements of para. 6 and 7: a. during the establishment period, or b. when they are newly registered in the herd-book with incomplete lineage.
No contribution is granted for an animal registered in the herd-book if no zootechnical activity, birth, mating, or insemination is mentioned regarding it during the two years preceding the reference day.
The available funds for this section are allocated as follows: a. cattle breeding, including Asian buffaloes 72% b. equine breeding 4% c. pig breeding 10.75% d. sheep breeding excluding dairy ewes 6.5% e. goat breeding and dairy ewe breeding 5.75% f. New World camelid breeding 0.2% g. honey bee breeding 0.8%
If the available funds for a breeding category according to para. 1 are insufficient to pay contributions based on the amounts referred to in Arts. 15 to 21, the contributions to be paid in this breeding category shall be reduced in accordance with para. 4, notwithstanding the amounts provided for in this breeding category.
If the available funds for a breeding category according to para. 1 exceed the contributions to be paid based on the amounts referred to in Arts. 15 to 21 for a breeding category, the contributions to be paid in this breeding category shall be increased in accordance with para. 4, notwithstanding the amounts provided for in this breeding category.
The ratio of the costs of the different zootechnical measures is decisive for reducing or increasing the contributions to be paid. The Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) calculates this ratio based on the costs reported by recognized breeding organizations for the year preceding the contribution year.
The following contributions are granted: a. financial aid for time-limited projects aimed at the preservation of: 1. Swiss breeds, 2. breeds that became extinct in Switzerland and have been reintroduced, provided their Swiss origin can be proven; b. compensation for the operation of national gene banks for the preservation of Swiss breeds by the persons referred to in Art. 23 b bis, para. 2; c. financial aid for the preservation of Swiss breeds of cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, and honeybees that are classified as "critical" or "endangered."
The FOAG publishes the name of the beneficiary and the amount of the contribution for each contribution granted. In the case of the financial aid referred to in para. 1, letter c, it publishes the name of the breeding organization and the total contribution granted to it.
A Swiss breed is defined as a breed: a. which originated in Switzerland before 1949, or b. for which a herd-book has been maintained in Switzerland since at least 1949.
The status of a Swiss breed is "critical" when the overall index calculated for the breed in the Genetic Resources Monitoring System in Switzerland (GENMON) is between 0.000 and 0.500 on June 1.
The status of a Swiss breed is "endangered" when the overall index calculated for the breed in GENMON is between 0.501 and 0.700 on June 1.
The FOAG re-evaluates every four years on June 1, starting from June 1, 2027, whether the status of a Swiss breed remains critical or endangered, or if a Swiss breed should be classified with the status "critical" or "endangered."
The maximum amount of 500,000 francs is allocated per year for time-limited preservation projects and for the operation of national gene banks.
In addition to the resources referred to in para. 1, the resources mentioned in Art. 25 that have not been exhausted may be used for this purpose.
Financial aid for time-limited preservation projects is granted to recognized breeding organizations and organizations recognized within the meaning of Art. 5, para. 3, let. b. The maximum amount of 150,000 francs is allocated per year to recognized organizations.
Financial aid for time-limited preservation projects amounts to a maximum of 80% of the costs certified and recognized by the FOAG.
For the purpose of preserving Swiss breeds, the FOAG operates national gene banks for the long-term storage of frozen animal-origin samples (cryogenically preserved material).
It may delegate the operation of national gene banks: a. to insemination centers; b. to recognized breeding organizations responsible for the concerned Swiss breeds, provided they manage the gene banks through insemination centers.
Anyone seeking to operate a national gene bank must ensure a high level of genetic diversity.
The operation of a national gene bank is governed by a contract between the FOAG and the operator. The contract specifically governs: a. the volume and minimum quantity of cryogenically preserved material to be stored; b. the property rights related to the cryogenically preserved material; c. the amount of compensation.
The operator of a gene bank has the following duties: a. they must grant the FOAG all rights of information and consultation; b. they must ensure that the following information and documents are recorded in the documentation software provided by the FOAG: 1. contact data for at least one contact person, 2. unique identification of the animals, including information regarding their lineage, 3. the nature and volume of the cryogenically preserved material, 4. manufacturing protocols, 5. storage locations and distribution within the stocks.
The use of cryogenically stored material in a national gene bank is prohibited.
Upon request, the FOAG may, in derogation of para. 1, authorize the use in the following cases and for the purposes of preserving a Swiss breed: a. if genetic studies are being conducted, or b. if the genetic diversity of a Swiss breed is significantly declining and its status is "critical."
Recognized breeding organizations responsible for handling the relevant Swiss breed have the right to submit a request for the use of cryogenically stored material.
The request must outline the modalities of the use of the cryogenically stored material.
If the FOAG approves the request, it enters into an agreement with the breeding organization and potentially other relevant parties. The agreement specifically regulates the purpose, volume, and duration of the use of the cryogenically stored material.
The fee charged by the insemination center operating the gene bank in question or managing it on behalf of a breeding organization to the authorization holder for the provision of cryogenically stored material must not exceed the production costs of the cryogenically stored material.
The authorization holder must ensure that after use, a residual stock of at least 50% of the cryogenically stored material from the donor animal remains available in the gene bank.
The FOAG may particularly authorize usage resulting in a residual stock of less than 50% of the cryogenically stored material from the donor animal in the gene bank if the authorization holder can prove that the preservation of a Swiss breed is not assured in the short term without the use of additional cryogenically stored material from the donor animal.
The maximum amount of 4,750,000 francs is disbursed annually for the preservation of Swiss breeds of bovine, equine, porcine, ovine, caprine species, and honey bees whose status is "critical" or "endangered."
The contributions for the preservation of Swiss breeds with a "critical" status are as follows
a. for bovine species
1. per male
2. per female
856.80 francs
714 francs
b. for equine species
per female
500 francs
c. for porcine species
1. per male
2. per female
357 francs
392.70 francs
d. for ovine species
1. per male
2. per female - milk sample collection in accordance with Art. 19, para. 2, let. b, item 1
3. per female - no milk sample collection in accordance with Art. 19, para. 2, let. b, item 1
242.80 francs
178.50 francs
121.40 francs
e. for caprine species
1. per male
2. per female - milk sample collection in accordance with Art. 19, para. 2, let. b, item 1
3. per female - no milk sample collection in accordance with Art. 19, para. 2, let. b, item 1
242.80 francs
142.80 francs
121.40 francs
f. for honey bees
1. per drone queen
2. per queen
285.60 francs
285.60 francs
The contributions for the preservation of Swiss breeds with an "endangered" status are as follows
a. for bovine species
1. per male
2. per female
282 francs
235 francs
b. for porcine species
1. per male
2. per female
117.50 francs
129.30 francs
c. for ovine species
1. per male
2. per female – milk sample collection in accordance with Art. 19, para. 2, let. b, item 1
3. per female – no milk sample collection in accordance with Art. 19, para. 2, let. b, item 1
79.90 francs
58.80 francs
40 francs
d. for caprine species
1. per male
2. per female – milk sample collection in accordance with Art. 19, para. 2, let. b, item 1
3. per female – no milk sample collection in accordance with Art. 19, para. 2, let. b, item 1
79.90 francs
47 francs
40 francs.
If the maximum amount of 4,750,000 francs is insufficient, the contributions specified in paras. 2 and 3 are reduced by the same percentage for all species.
If contributions pursuant to Art. 21, para. 2, let. a, item 2, are already granted, they are deducted from the contribution for the preservation of Swiss honey bee breeds with a "critical" status.
Contributions for the preservation of Swiss breeds whose status is "critical" or "threatened" are granted for animals of the bovine, equine, porcine, ovine, and caprine species: a. that are registered or mentioned in a herd-book; b. whose parents and grandparents are registered or mentioned in a herd-book of the same breed; c. that have a blood percentage of 87.5% or more of the corresponding breed, and d. that have at least one living descendant: 1. born during the reference period, 2. registered or mentioned in the herd-book, and 3. having a blood percentage of 87.5% or more of the corresponding breed. The living descendant referred to in para. 1, let. d, must also have a degree of consanguinity based on at least three generations and not exceed the following percentage: a. cattle, sheep, and goats: 6.25%; b. pigs and equines: 10%.
The animals of the Franches-Montagnes breed that were registered in the Purebred section of the herd-book of the Swiss Franches-Montagnes Federation on January 1, 1999, are considered as animals having a blood percentage of 100% of the Franches-Montagnes breed.
Contributions are only granted if the number of female animals registered in the herd-book does not exceed 10,000 animals in the case of breeds whose status is "critical" and 7,500 animals in the case of breeds whose status is "threatened"; only female animals registered in the herd-book that meet the following conditions are taken into account: a. their parents and grandparents are registered or mentioned in a herd-book of the same breed; b. they have a blood percentage of 87.5% or more of the corresponding breed; c. the animals registered in the herd-book of the bovine, equine, and porcine species have at least one birth registered in the herd-book; d. the animals registered in the herd-book of the ovine and caprine species are at least six months old.
Contributions are only granted if recognized breeding organizations provide the operator of GENMON at least once a year with the data from the herd-book and the information necessary for the calculation of the global index.
Contributions for the preservation of Swiss breeds with a "critical" status are granted for a queen or a drone queen of honey bees that: a. is registered or mentioned in a herd-book; b. whose mother is registered or mentioned in a herd-book of the same breed; c. whose paternal pedigree contains at least the drone queen of the first or second generation of ancestors; the drone queens concerned must be registered or mentioned in a herd-book of the same breed as that of the queen or the drone queen, with the understanding that only one second-generation ancestral drone queen may be registered or mentioned in the herd-book; d. has a blood percentage equal to or greater than 87.5% of the corresponding breed; the blood percentage must be verified by a DNA analysis or by a pedigree certificate, and the DNA analysis must be performed according to an internationally recognized scientific method based on single nucleotide polymorphism analysis; and e. has at least one living queen descendant, who: 1. has been certified during the reference period, 2. is registered or mentioned in the herd-book, and 3. has a blood percentage equal to or greater than 87.5% of the corresponding breed; the blood percentage must be verified by a DNA analysis or by a pedigree certificate, and the DNA analysis must be performed according to an internationally recognized scientific method based on single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. The living descendant referred to in paragraph 1, letter e, must also have a degree of inbreeding based on at least three generations and not exceeding 6.25%. Regarding honey bees, the three-generation pedigree of the living descendant must also include, on the paternal side, at least the mother of the concerned drone queens.
Contributions are only granted if the number of females registered in the herd-book that have completed an open testing or testing according to the circular blind exchange system does not exceed 1000.
Contributions are only granted if the recognized breeding organization provides the operator of GENMON with the herd-book data and the information necessary for calculating the global index at least once a year.
Anyone wishing to obtain contributions for the preservation of Swiss breeds with a "critical" or "threatened" status must submit an application to the relevant recognized breeding organization. The application must be submitted once during the year in which the eligible party wishes to receive the contributions.
Entitled to a contribution: a. for bovine, equine, porcine, ovine, and caprine species: anyone who, at the time of the birth of the first live-born descendant of a progenitor during the reference period, is the owner of that progenitor; b. for honeybees: anyone who, at the time of the fertilization of the first fertilized descendant of a queen during the reference period, is the owner of that queen.
The recognized breeding organization verifies the right to the contributions.
It requests the payment of contributions from the FOAG based on a list of male and female progenitors or honeybee queens and drone queen bees for which contributions are to be granted during the relevant reference period. During a reference period, the payment of only one contribution can be requested per animal or queen.
The FOAG pays the contributions to the recognized breeding organization, which, in turn, disburses them to the entitled parties no later than 60 days after receiving them from the FOAG.
The recognized breeding organization communicates to the FOAG, no later than 31 October preceding the contribution year, the estimated number of males and females or the number of honeybee queens and drone queen bees entitled to contributions.
The FOAG publishes the contributions disbursed to recognized breeding organizations.
Recognized breeding organizations and institutes of federal and cantonal higher education are supported by contributions for research projects on animal genetic resources.
The contributions amount to a maximum of 500,000 francs per year, but not more than 80% of the costs certified and recognized by the FOAG.
The FOAG publishes the contributions disbursed by organization and by institute as well as by measure.
The Swiss National Stud referred to in Art. 147 of the April 29, 1998, Agricultural Act has the following tasks: a. it promotes the genetic diversity of the Franches-Montagnes breed, makes it available to breeders in vivo and in vitro, and provides technical support for other preservation measures of the Swiss Federation of Franches-Montagnes; b. it conducts applied research in the fields of breeding, keeping, and using equines, mainly in collaboration with universities; c. it supports equine breeders in their selection work; d. it encourages the exchange of knowledge in the field of equine keeping and use and provides advice; e. it keeps equines and provides infrastructure and facilities to accomplish the tasks defined in letters a to d.
For its services and expenses, the stud charges fees, which are governed by the Ordinance of June 16, 2006, on Fees Collected by the Federal Office for Agriculture.
Breeding cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, as well as breeding equines, along with semen, unfertilized ova, and embryos, must be accompanied by a pedigree certificate when they are placed on the market.
In case of a change of ownership within the country, female breeding animals, as well as unfertilized ova and embryos, must be accompanied by a pedigree certificate only upon the request of the purchaser.
Pedigree certificates must be issued by a recognized breeding organization.
The pedigree certificate for breeding bovine, porcine, ovine, and caprine animals must include the following information: a. name and address of the authority responsible for managing the herd-book; b. designation of the herd-book; c. registration number in the herd-book; d. name of the animal, if available; e. type of identification used; f. identification of the animal; g. date of birth; h. breed; i. sex; j. name and address of the breeder; k. name and address of the owner; l. pedigree: herd-book numbers of the parents and grandparents; m. performance test results with indication of the competent authority and breeding value or genetic assessment of the animal, its parents, and its grandparents, if available; n. for pregnant animals: date of insemination or mating and information on the sire; o. place and date of issue; p. name of the issuing authority.
The pedigree certificate for breeding equidae is included in the equine passport. In addition to the information contained in the equine passport according to Art. 15 d of the Ordinance of 27 June 1995 on Epizootics, it must contain the following data: a. name and address of the service responsible for managing the herd-book at the time the passport is issued; b. name and address of the breeder; c. identification number (Universal Equine Life Number, UELN) of the animal's sire, if available; d. breed of the animal; e. herd-book category; f. lineage; herd-book number and/or UELN of the parents and grandparents; g. verification of the certificate of origin, if available; gbis. graphical and verbal description; h. method of alternative identification; i. results of performance tests, if available.
The pedigree certificate for the semen and unfertilized eggs of bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine breeders, and reproductive equines must contain the following information: a. information according to Arts. 27 and 28, updated, regarding the semen donor or egg donor; b. information for the identification of the semen or unfertilized eggs, including, if applicable, the name of the container, number of doses or straws, date of collection, and names and addresses of the insemination or embryo transfer center and the buyer.
The pedigree certificate for embryos of breeding bovines, porcines, ovines, caprines, and equine breeders must include the following information: a. details according to Articles 27 and 28, updated, concerning the embryo donor and the semen donor; b. information for the identification of the embryos, date of insemination, date of retrieval, and names and addresses of the insemination or embryo transfer center and the purchaser. When multiple embryos are in the same container (smallest unit of storage), the certificate must clearly state this. All embryos in the same container must originate from the same mother.
Animals considered as household effects, dowry, or hereditary property pursuant to Articles 14 to 16 of the Customs Ordinance of November 1, 2006, can be imported without a general import permit.
Quota shares for pigs, sheep, and goats are allocated based on the order of receipt of applications at the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG).
The tariff quota for cattle is allocated through auction. 70% of the quota shares are allocated through auction before the start of the quota period, and 30% during the first half of said period.
The customs quota no. 12 (bull semen) is no longer subject to regulation.
Quota shares are allocated solely for: a. purebred breeding animals that are registered in the herd-book of a recognized foreign breeding organization and are accompanied by a pedigree certificate; b. non-purebred breeding animals that are registered in the herd-book of a recognized foreign breeding organization and are accompanied by a pedigree certificate, for purposes of scientific research, preservation of breeds threatened with extinction, or establishment of a herd of a breed not yet bred in Switzerland; c. farm animals for which no breeding organization exists in the country of origin, for purposes of scientific research, preservation of breeds threatened with extinction, or establishment of a herd of a breed not yet bred in Switzerland.
Kids and lambs under their mother that are not more than 14 days old may be imported at the quota rate without being counted against the quota if it is proven that they descend from the mother to be imported.
The following documents must be provided to the FOAG (Federal Office for Agriculture) with the quota share application: a. a copy of the pedigree certificate of the breeding animal; b. a written statement justifying the use as a non-purebred breeding animal or as a farm animal according to para. 1, lit. b or c; c. a written statement of the age and pedigree of the young animals mentioned in para. 2.
The FOAG decides on the correctness of the certificates and statements and allocates a quota share.
Only animals that meet the conditions set out in Art. 34, para. 1, may be imported within the scope of the quota shares.
Calves under their mother of meat breeds that are not more than six months old may be imported at the quota rate without being charged to the quota if it is proven that they are descended from the mother to be imported.
The documents referred to in Art. 34, para. 3, must reach the FOAG at least seven days before the import declaration.
The FOAG decides on the accuracy of the certificates and attestations and provides the quota share holder with a certification for the import of cattle within the quota.
Breeding animals and livestock can only be imported within the quota if the person subject to the declaration obligation under Art. 26 of the Customs Act of March 18, 2005, presents a FOAG certification to the customs office during the customs procedure as per para. 4.
The customs office verifies the certification.
The FOAG shall implement the present ordinance, insofar as other authorities are not tasked with doing so.
The management and accounting of breeding organizations that receive contributions under this ordinance are subject to the supervision of the FOAG, insofar as they are related to the application of this ordinance. Breeding organizations submit a written activity report to the FOAG each year within 90 days following their ordinary assembly.
The ordinance of 14 November 2007 on breeding is repealed.
The amendment of the current law is regulated in Annex 2.
The overall GENMON index of 1 June 2021 is decisive in determining whether the status of a breed is "critical" or "endangered" (Art. 32a) at the time of the entry into force of the amendment of 2 November 2022.
Art. 24 of the former law applies to Franches-Montagnes horses born between 1 December 2022 and 31 May 2023; the version of Art. 23 of the former law, to which Art. 24 refers, is decisive. Breeders must submit their applications by 30 November 2023 at the latest to the Swiss Franches-Montagnes Federation. The Federation must forward the applications to the FOAG by 15 December 2023 at the latest.
This ordinance shall enter into force on January 1, 2013.