On Sunday, September 25th, Swiss voters rejected a constitutional change to impose a national ban on intensive livestock production in the Nation.  It is estimated that 63 percent of votes opposed the proposal consistent with a Government advisory to register a negative vote.  The intent of the proposition was to eliminate large farms producing poultry and hogs justified by issues including environmental contamination, use of resources, herd and flock welfare and other considerations.  The Referendum was supported by vegan groups, both within Switzerland and in the EU with similar rhetoric disseminated in the lead-up to U.S. ballot initiatives.

The proposal in Switzerland followed California Proposition #12 in that all imported foods of animal origin would need to conform to the requirements of Swiss housing and management. Some of the unintended consequences of this requirement were clearly recognized by voters.

The attempt by a consortium of activists to sway public opinion and enforce a vegan lifestyle failed. This is attributed to the good sense of Swiss citizens exercising their rights of direct democracy and avoiding a disruption in food supply with an ongoing scarcity of protein. There is a limit to how much muesli one can consume.