Lack of fire protection measures on livestock farming - TIR calls for clear legal provisions
Fires on livestock farms are not uncommon and often result in a shockingly high number of animal fatalities. The reason is to be found in the lack of specific, expressly prescribed preventive obligations that every livestock owner must fulfil. In order to protect these tragic barn fires in the future, TIR is campaigning for specific fire protection measures to be enshrined in the Animal Welfare Ordinance.
Februrary 7, 2024
The Foundation for Animals in Law (TIR) has been monitoring media coverage of fires in livestock farms for several years. Despite the lack of statistics, it can be assumed that several hundred animals die each year in Switzerland due to smoke poisoning or fire in their stables. Rescuing individual animals in the event of a fire is practically impossible, especially in the case of difficult-to-access barn compartments or very large numbers of animals, which is why precautions against such losses are particularly important. Nevertheless, in many cases, fire protection measures are not sufficiently implemented.
A legal obligation to prevent fire damage can already be derived from existing animal protection regulations. For example, anyone who keeps or cares for animals must provide them with the accommodation necessary for their welfare. Furthermore, the animal keeper must immediately rectify any defects in facilities that affect the well-being of the animals or take suitable measures to protect the animals. In addition to these generally formulated animal keeper obligations, however, animal welfare legislation in Switzerland does not specify detailed requirements with regard to protection against damage caused by stable fires.
In order to both increase legal certainty and prevent further avoidable fires, TIR is calling for a clear provision to be added to the Animal Welfare Ordinance.
For example, livestock keepers on farms should always have company-specific fire protection concepts and use warning devices with smoke and fire detection. Such explicit legal requirements would serve to raise awareness of the problem and also provide a legal basis for taking action against offenders. TIR would also like to see greater consideration given to fire prevention measures in the future as part of the authorisation process for livestock buildings. A corresponding legal basis could also help here.
Together with other animal welfare organisations, TIR has drawn up specific preventive measures to be taken and submitted them to the relevant authorities. TIR has also approached the Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers (VKF) in order to participate in the revision of the fire protection regulations applicable throughout Switzerland. Unfortunately, these efforts have not yet led to the desired success. Regrettably, the issue remains topical: last December, for instance, 500 cattle needlessly died an agonising death in a fire on a farm near Lausanne. In view of the forthcoming revision of the Animal Welfare Ordinance, we will once again address the urgently needed measures as part of the consultation process.