Agricultural organisations frequently refer to the strict Swiss animal welfare laws. State-subsidised advertising of happy animals is intended to stimulate the desire for meat and counteract any guilty conscience. The Foundation for the Animal in the Law (TIR) is deeply concerned about the legal basis and enforcement in Switzerland - and paints a completely different picture to that of advertising and the industry.

In its fourth library newsletter of 2024, the Foundation for the Animal in the Law (TIR) again presents selected new additions, such as books, articles and films on animal-related topics. The current issue focuses on the publication ‘We Animals - A New History of Humanity’, which provides a fascinating insight into the lives of the most resourceful, aggressive and at the same time most contradictory animals, namely humans.

Time and again, horrific images of unsustainable conditions during international animal transports reach the public. Most recently, 69 heavily pregnant cattle from Germany died or were senselessly killed at the Turkish border in unimaginable agony, for bureaucratic reasons. The Foundation for the Animal in the Law (TIR) draws attention to the urgent need to revise the EU regulations on animal transport.

At the beginning of October, the Foundation for the Animal in the Law (TIR) gave specialist presentations for law enforcement and veterinary authorities at the conference ‘Advancing Animal Rights in Albania - Inter-Institutional Cooperation and Swiss Expertise’ in Tirana. The core topic of the event organised by Animals Need Me was more consistent enforcement of animal protection law in Albania. The conference was a great success from the point of view of the initiators and participants.

After more than a decade, the world-famous musician and animal rights activist Moby has returned to the stage. He is donating all the proceeds from his European tour to animal rights organisations. The Foundation for the Animal in the Law (TIR) is delighted to have also been considered. 

Last week, the Animal Law, Rights and Representation Summer School took place at the University of Antwerp. Students from many different countries assembled to discuss various issues in the field of animal rights law. TIR Managing Director Gieri Bolliger was also present at the event as a speaker. 

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.

On 13 August 2024, Joyce Tischler, also known in America as the mother of animal welfare law, and Kim Stallwood, British animal rights activist and long-time advisor and friend of the Foundation for the Animal in the Law (TIR), paid us a visit. During their stay, they shared the most important moments from their many years of animal welfare work at a get-together with interested parties.

TIR offers students and university graduates the opportunity to gain initial experience in the field of animal welfare law as part of a short internship and gain an insight into everyday working life at TIR. A three-month internship has also been offered since 2023.

Last April, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) launched the consultation on the revision of several animal welfare-related ordinances. The planned amendments aim to introduce a ban on the import of fur products produced in a cruel manner, and a declaration requirement for foie gras products and certain animal products obtained abroad using painful procedures without anaesthesia. Zurich Animal Protection, Vier Pfoten, Swiss Animal Protection STS and the Foundation for the Animal in the Law (TIR) have submitted a joint statement in which they comment in detail on the planned amendments to the ordinance.

The second library newsletter of 2024, the Foundation for the Animal in the Law (TIR) once again presents selected new additions. Books, articles and films on animal-related topics are listed. The current issue focuses on the book "Wasps - A Reconciliation", which offers fascinating insights into the life of wasps and highlights their remarkable behaviour and abilities as well as their usefulness to the ecosystem.

Animals regularly die a horrible death as a result of fires on livestock farms. Hundreds of animals bred and kept for human consumption are affected every year, last year even around 1000. The risks have long been recognised, but there are still no effective guidelines for preventive measures that could save lives. The Foundation for Animals in the Law (TIR), together with seven other organisations, is once again drawing the attention of the federal government to its responsibility in an open letter.  

In its new awareness-raising campaign, the Foundation for the Animal in the Law (TIR) criticises Swiss animal welfare law. This is generally considered exemplary, but allows serious abuses in the treatment of animals. Chocolate animals are used to depict the suffering that lies behind the elegant packaging. The campaign was once again realised by the renowned creative agency Ruf Lanz.

On 21 March 2024, the Swiss premiere of "Food for Profit", presented by the Foundation for the Animal in the Law (TIR), took place at the sold-out Frame cinema in Zurich. The documentary film by Giulia Innocenzi and Pablo D'Ambrosi impressively discloses the interrelations between the dairy and meat industries, lobbying and political power in Europe. TIR looks back on an impressive, memorable evening and would like to thank Giulia Innocenzi and the 200 invited guests.

In its first library newsletter of 2024, the Foundation for the Animal in the Law (TIR) once again presents selected new additions. Featured are books, articles, and film contributions on topics relevant to animals. The current issue focuses on the book "Veganomics - The vegan revolution and its future markets", which shows us solution-oriented ways out of intensive livestock farming and towards building a plant-based society.

Convinced that the scientific examination of the human-animal relationship is of fundamental importance for the further development of animal protection law, the Foundation for the Animal in the Law (TIR) is constantly expanding its extensive library and historical archive. This unique collection is increasingly being used by researchers from Switzerland and abroad - currently, for example, by Ilaria Cimadori, working on her doctoral dissertation at Yale University (USA).