The number of cows and other farm animals such as sheep and goats and sometimes pigs is also impressive: They eat around 30 million tons of feed per year. Three quarters of this is roughage such as grass and straw. Almost 100 percent of that comes from Swiss pastures, meadows or forage cultivation in the valley region, as the Swiss Farmers Association says in its focus magazine “Cows, pigs and others eat it.” author.
Few feed imports come mostly from Europe
A small part of the imported feedstuffs are mainly forage grains, soybeans, rapeseed and sunflower meal as well as roughage such as alfalfa. More than 80 percent of imports come from Europe, while the share from South America and Asia is decreasing year by year.
According to the farmers’ association, the share of soybean meal from Brazil has fallen drastically, while Europe’s share has increased from 0 percent to more than 50 percent over the past decade. “Swiss agriculture is aware that rainforest deforestation is problematic when importing soybean meal and is looking for alternatives in Europe,” writes Focus magazine. About 99 percent of those coming from abroad come from certified cultivation. Ecological and social requirements must be complied with.
World-class standards for imported animal feed also apply in Switzerland: Swiss farmers do not use genetically modified feed or feed mixed with hormones or artificial performance enhancers.
More Switzerland – is it possible?
There is even more Switzerland in products bearing the IGP quality mark: These are traditional specialties with a strong connection to their region of origin. Made with passion for generations. These are, for example, St. Gallen sausage IGP or Valais cured meat IGP. IGP specialties are produced, processed or refined at the place of origin. Why is Swiss production particularly important for meat?
When it comes to meat, purchasing meat, whether privately or as a restaurant owner, can make a huge difference: buying locally not only benefits local businesses, it also means you consciously opt for Swiss animal welfare standards. Only the nutrition of cattle is very different from abroad. Switzerland continues a tradition of small businesses and manageable production. So tradition only St. Gallen Bratwurst IGP, but also in the form of keeping animals.