Laurence Ferrari

SGV Meeting 2026 · Scientific Programme

CHUV, Lausanne

• 25 November 2026 · 14:30Guidelines, Factsheets and Manual – Information from the FSVO and the cantons
  Abstract

  The Technical Information on blood withdrawal has been revised with the aim of updating the already existing technical information with the current animal welfare standards and making the necessary methodological adjustments. The updates are partially based on already existing guidelines. The Technical Information on individual housing of incompatible mice has been newly drafted. The interpretation of the limited duration, as mentioned under Article 119 Paragraph 2 of the Animal Protection Ordinance (AniPO) has frequently been the subject of queries and has led to difficulties in laboratory animal facilities and in enforcement. The Technical Information is intended to clarify this issue. In addition, the appendix to the document provides information on the causes of aggression between mice as well as guidance on how to prevent it, which is also intended to help avoid the individual housing of laboratory mice. As a result of the revision of the Animal Welfare Ordinance and Animal Experimentation Ordinance from 2024, the Explanatory Notes on Form A and those on Form HC have been revised. The Explanatory Notes on Form HC were amended primarily with regard to the information relating to the two new categories that must be reported from the reporting year 2026 onwards (animals not used for animal experiments: dead/killed or transferred to third parties). They also include explanations of how the animals are counted depending on their species and stage of development. The Explanatory Notes on Form A have undergone a fundamental revision and expansion and are now being published as technical information. The document now goes beyond simply serving as a guide to completing Form A and provides in-depth information and clarifications on the legal basis underpinning Form A.

  The Manual on the Enforcement of Animal Welfare Legislation (Manual) is a handbook and tool for Veterinary Authorities. It is developed jointly by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) and the cantons (Swiss Veterinary Service). It is intended to ensure the consistent implementation of animal welfare regulations across all cantons and to provide the authorities with guidance in carrying out their duties. Following the completion of the manual chapters in the areas of livestock and pet welfare, work has been carried out over the past few months on drafting the chapter entitled ‘Animal experimentation and the keeping of laboratory animals’. It is intended to serve as an up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge base for the cantons, containing information, guidance notes, sample documents and other materials, all of which are underpinned by the relevant legal framework and are to be used in the assessment of applications and the monitoring process. During its development, it became apparent that certain documents from the Manual dedicated to animal experimentation warranted publication, as they could concern not only the authorities, but also researchers, animal facility managers, animal welfare officers, and animal experimentation committees. To date, three documents have been published and will be presented during this talk: Legal considerations regarding the indispensability of animal experiments and the conditions for approval; Explanations of which animal species and developmental stages are covered by Chapter 6 of the Animal Protection Ordinance (AniPO), and Return of insufficient animal experimentation applications. As the Manual is still being drafted, it is possible that other documents may also be published.