Humane animal husbandry

It is important to us that foreign producers also keep their animals in conditions comparable to those in Switzerland. Therefore, in 2013 we extended the reach of our successful cooperation with Swiss Animal Protection (SAP), which now also assesses operations abroad on our behalf.

For poultry, we are going one step further: Together with foreign poultry suppliers, we are establishing animal husbandry practices based on the model of the Swiss Federal PAS programme (particularly animal-friendly stabling) with more sitting areas and more space in the housing, bedding, and access to a covered outdoor area. All of our Coop own label brand fresh turkey meat (excl. Prix Garantie) from Switzerland and abroad has been PAS-certified since February 2016. All standard imported fresh chicken meat (excl. Prix Garantie) comes from farms that produce in accordance with PAS regulations.

Other producers are changing their production over during 2018 to ensure that the entire special-offer quantity can be produced in accordance with the Swiss PAS standard as a minimum. Moreover, since May 2014 we have been selling horse meat from Spain that is produced according to high animal welfare standards.

Over 70 percent of the soya feed that is used for our range comes from sustainable sources. Our Swiss suppliers feed their animals with feed that has not been genetically modified. As regards foreign suppliers, we give preference to those who also avoid GMO feed. We have this investigated on a regular basis, by means of molecular biological tests of the animal feed.

The preventive use of antibiotics is also prohibited, and through various projects we are seeking to reduce the medicinal use of antibiotics. The use of hormones banned in Switzerland and of growth promoters is also prohibited across the entire product range. Coop does not accept products derived from cloned or genetically modified animals or their offspring.

Animal transport in Switzerland is undertaken by trained specialists. The animals' identity and health status, and the travel time must be stated on the accompanying document. In addition to official inspections, our label programmes Naturaplan and Naturafarm also undergo regular and unannounced transport inspections by Swiss Animal Protection (SAP). A maximum travel time of six hours also applies to transport within our import programmes with higher animal welfare standards, as in Switzerland. The aim is a maximum transport time of 8 hours for the entire range.

• Stress must be avoided: the animals must not be impelled to move by force.
• Loading density: enough space for each animal and separate compartments for each farm are imperative.
• Ramp and side panels: the ramp must not be too steep and the side panels must be sufficiently high to prevent injury during transport.
• Transport: the travelling time must not exceed six hours.
• Animal transporters: for reasons of hygiene, animals may only be transported in a special lorry.

Our Swiss fresh meat primarily comes from abattoirs run by Bell AG, which are audited by Swiss Animal Protection (SAP) in addition to the state inspections. Meat sold under the Naturafarm and Naturaplan labels comes exclusively from such abattoirs. An official veterinarian must be present at Swiss abattoirs to check over the animals upon arrival and oversee the slaughter process.

On arrival at the abattoir, the identity of the animals, their state of health and animal protection concerns are verified. Imported poultry produced in programmes in accordance with the requirements of the Swiss Animal Protection Act come from abattoirs which are inspected regularly by Swiss Animal Protection SAP as well as by state inspectors.

All meat used at Coop comes from animals anaesthetized prior to being killed. The only exception – in line with Swiss animal protection legislation – applies to wild animals such as fallow deer or bison. Wild animals that are killed in the field rather than in an abattoir are killed by trained persons using a shot that results in immediate death.

Ultimately, we can only ensure humane animal husbandry if our employees in Sales and Management are properly informed about the importance of animal welfare. We make a distinction between basic knowledge for all employees (e.g. through training given during induction days) and specialist expertise. The statutory requirements and the Naturafarm and Naturaplan animal husbandry requirements are the focus of our training.

Field reports from farmers and tours of facilities provide additional insights into farming practices and show tangible differences in animal husbandry conditions. External partners such as Suckler Cow Switzerland (Verein Mutterkuh Schweiz) provide information on the latest animal welfare issues at events.