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The Association |
Hansruedi Vonlanthen
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The Association |
Hansruedi Vonlanthen
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Haflinger-Pentagon Sàrl-GmbH
Monday, 29 June 2026
Reform of the Animal Breeding Ordinance is urgently needed
Why the Federal Office, headed by Christian Stricker, is blocking the standalone Horse Breeding Ordinance – and how it could be funded
The long-overdue separation of the Horse Breeding Ordinance from the Animal Breeding Ordinance is not being implemented by the Federal Office for Agriculture (BLW) – headed by Christian Stricker, Head of the Animal Breeding Division. As a result, the introduction of a standalone, modern regulation for Swiss thoroughbred horse breeding remains blocked – even though the legislature and the Federal Council have mandated such an ordinance.
A quick glance across the border shows that the funds for this are available. Imports of live horses and ponies alone generated customs and VAT revenue of around 4,641,705 Swiss francs for the general federal treasury in 2019 – based on 3,765 animals actually imported. The customs duty portion is based on the actual numbers of animals and fixed rates; the VAT portion is calculated on the basis of estimated average purchase prices (CHF 3,000.00).
If imports of horsemeat and other levies relating to the horse sector are included, the federal government’s annual revenue amounts to around 6 million Swiss francs. (See import statement)
A fraction of these funds would be sufficient to finance what professional Swiss thoroughbred breeding currently lacks: support for the rearing of high-quality foals. Without such support, economically viable thoroughbred breeding in Switzerland is not possible.
This applies in particular to breeds with ‘Swissness’ recognition – the Swiss Warmblood, the Haflinger and the Franches-Montagnes. Support grants for high-quality reared foals would be a gesture of goodwill on the part of the federal authorities to revitalise horse breeding in line with the Horse Breeding Ordinance.
A reunification of the Swiss thoroughbred breeding associations and their cooperation with the FOAG – as required by the Ordinance laid down by the legislature and the Federal Council – could revitalise Swiss thoroughbred breeding, the development of which has for years been significantly directed by the FOAG – initially under Niklaus Neuenschwander, and now under Christian Stricker – could breathe new life into Swiss thoroughbred horse breeding.
Using the aforementioned revenue generated from the horse sector to promote the rearing of high-quality foals is not too much to ask. It would be the long-overdue first step towards a reform worthy of the name.