Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office

Focus

Eating for better health and sustainability: Federal government updates Dietary Recommendations

The FSVO has partnered with the SSN to publish new Dietary Recommendations relating to the Swiss Nutrition Policy. The new recommendations place a greater emphasis on sustainability aspects, and are illustrated in a revised Food Pyramid.

Federal Council steps up fight against antibiotic resistance

The number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is on the rise all over the world. In order to ramp up the fight against antibiotic resistance, the Federal Council adopted the new One Health Action Plan for StAR 2024-2027 as part of the Swiss Antibiotic Resistance Strategy (StAR) on 26 June 2024 to ensure the long-term effectiveness of antibiotics to preserve human and animal health.

Graureiher mit Vogelgrippevirus im Tierpark Bern aufgefunden

Crossing borders with animals – safely!

A holiday with your dog, moving countries with your cat: there are many reasons why you may need to cross a border with animals. The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) offers help on crossing borders with pets correctly on its website and warns against illegal animal imports.

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Tougher penalties for illegal trade in protected plants and animals

From 1 March 2022, tougher criminal sanctions will apply to the illegal trade in internationally protected animal and plant species. The Federal Council has passed an amendment of the relevant federal act and implementing provisions. Serious cases of illegal trade will now be treated as crimes.

Good to know

Research to successfully combat foot rot

Disinfectant foot baths are used throughout Switzerland to combat foot root. Two effective disinfectants with no undesirable side effects are in use. These were validated as part of studies initiated by the FSVO. Findings from research are needed in order to develop a successful, national programme to combat foot rot. Consequently, the FSVO is financing various studies on foot rot.

Friends and foes of legionella – a glimpse inside your shower

Legionella exist in shower hoses alongside many other microorganisms – do they promote or fight them? LeCo characterises the microbial communities of shower hose biofilms and analyses their relationships with Legionella.

Pets from Ukraine: End of easing of entry conditions

Since the outbreak of the war, refugees from Ukraine have been able to import their dogs and cats into Switzerland more easily. As fewer pets are now being brought into the country from Ukraine, the easing of import conditions will end on 1 August 2023. From this date, the usual conditions will once again apply when importing dogs and cats from Ukraine.

More zoonoses – Hygiene is important (in French)

In 2023, the number of reported zoonoses in humans generally increased compared to the previous two years. Consumers can reduce the risk of contracting a zoonosis by practising good kitchen hygiene.
(the report)

Legionella control in buildings

Both in Switzerland and throughout the world, the last few years have seen a sharp increase in Legionnaires’ disease, which is caused by Legionella bacteria. To counteract this trend, the FSVO set up the multidisciplinary research project LeCo. The project’s aim is to develop basic principles that can be used to efficiently identify and combat Legionella in buildings.

ASF – the level of hygiene of the pigs influences the course of the disease

Research, supported by the FSVO at the Institute for Virology and Immunology IVI, shows that the hygiene level of pigs plays a significant role in the course of the disease caused by the African swine fever virus. These results will help to drive the development of a vaccine.

Travelling with pets