SWITZERLAND

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01426R009800110006-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 1, 2013
• Sequence Number: 6
• Content Type: REPORT

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Table of Contents
Switzerland Pa
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A.
General
1
B.
Environmental factors
2
1.
TopoEraphy and climate
2
2.
Sonic...economic pattern
2
4.
Nutrition
2
C. Food sanitation, storage and technology
2
C.
Diseases
2
2.
Diseasfs of an1mals
2
(1) Foot-and.mouth disease
3
(2) Tuberculosis
3
(3) Brucellosis
3
(4) Mange
3
(5) Hog Cholera
4
(6) Newcastle:la disease
4
(7) Other important diseases
14
D.
Veterinary organization and administration
4
1.
Civilian
4
a4 Organization
4
b. Legal controls
5
(1) Licensure
5
(2) Quarantine
5
(3) Inspection
6
c. FYofessional veterinary organization
6
d, VetLrinary medical research
6
f. Emergency vetcrinary services
7
2. Military veterinary sf,rvice
Veterinary mappowr
Vetf,:rinary medical facilities
Veterinary supplies and material
Reference data
7
8
9
Chart I: Organization of Swiss Vet rinary Services
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qp.$7 pENT I AL
Switzerland
A. General
Animal .1..sease control an sanitary production of food of Tynimal ori;in is
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comptIrable to that of countries such as 'plv!t cereony Netherlende. overn-
merit rairltins firm control aver disease control and eradication polir,ies which are
enc.rally favorably accepted and supported by livestock producers. veterinarians
are well A.stributed throwhout the country. Official veterinarian: and xtivate
practitioners collaborate effectively in carrying out tht rigid regulations
pertain5nl, to animal di:-,easeA. 7terional veterinary p,;:roonnel are well sup.orted by
investirative rgla diagnoutic work through adequate federally financed central and
regianal bacteriolocioal laboretories.
T'rv- veteriary faculties of two universities - T2ern en,i Zurich - as well as
several commercial Liological producing firms, carry out necessary animal health
reaearch with close cooperation of veterinary practitioners or federal sru local
of
In addition to minteinin a relatively high natinal status in Tnimal health,
many Swiss veterinrians participate in foreirn assirnments, includingservice
with Internatinal 1re?-nizations, such as the United Nations Food and Artculttrc
Orrnaizatian, The headquarters for the Unitcd Hatiz,ne ..orld Health , anizatin,
inclui_in,? its veterinry division, I located in vas
The eredication of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis, begun intensively
about 1953_, is well underway, und elimination of thee* diseases is scheduled in
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CONFIDENTIAT.
1961. 3/ ti .1.31 16.1
B. Environmental factors
1. Topography and climate - Thr mountainous Swiss terrain definitely influences
animal health and nutrition. ric climate in alAne meadow areas, used cooperatively
during the summer, requires return of animals to lower elevations for confined -
winter feeding. This constant annual movement of animals requires close inve-atigstion
and supervision of anilmil health to prevent the widespread digremination of infectious
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diseases.
2. Socio-economic pattern - rhe hirh productivity of Swiss livestock is 1?logely
a result of the cooperative use of alpine pastures and the efficient organization
of seasonal miFration. Regulated animal halth control is an essential feature of
this livestock system that has contributed so 1.)uch to the country's economy by
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providing a large volume of eviort dairy pro:ucts ant breeding animals.
4. Nutrition
o. Food sanitation, storage am technology - The distribution of fo.-id of
animal orikin is well regulated and supervised in Switterland. Veterinary inspeotion
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is effective, assurinc the availability of healthful rioducts.
C. Diseases
2. Diseases of animals - The important animal diseases in Switovrland are
generally well controlled.. Infectious diseasem have teen much reduced in recent
years, and attention is being directed toward the less significant diseases and
parasitic conditions. Investigations of a few important pkvaiolo,ical and nutritional
-V IS
deficiency conditions are untcrway..
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(1) Foot-and-mouth disease Foot-anduwmth diseAse in a periodic scourge
of Swiss livestock. Outbreaks have been handled by a coebination of vaccination,
isolation and eradicatin measures which have, in recent years, been generally
ef'ective in limiting the spread of the disease. einfection from outside so-xces
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is a constant threat and requires vigilance an prompt preventive action.
(2) Tuberculosis - Bovine tuberculosis eradication is proceeding an
schedule and approaching a stage of completion, anticipated in 1961. At that time
infection rates will be reduced to a fraction of 1 percent and the situation will
require only a surveillance to prevent the dissemination of the disease from minor
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infection reservoirs.
(3) Brucellosis - Bovine brucellosis eradication is nearly as advanced as
that of tuberculosis end is cepected to he successfully terminated about the same
time. The program combines reactor slaughter, calfhood vaccination and strict
sanitation of infected premises, particularly in comunity pasture areas. Bovine
abortion, under any circumstances, is a ret)ortable condition leading to immediate
veterinary investigation and full sanitary precaution. Pasteurisation of dairy
products, at least in municipal areas, has reduced the human health hazard aspects
of this disease.. Brucella melitensis infection among sheep and goats is a more
serious situation, since the results in aerological testing are lees definitive.'
Nevertheless, reactors are being slaughtered on identification of infection, whAoh
may lead to eventual control of thili form of brucellosis also.
(4) Mange --Sarcoptic mange ..-7arcoptes scabiei has been a serious problem
affecting production of Swiss cattle.. 14tenaive use of chemical dips, mandatory
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? ON1P I DENTIAL
for animals proceeding to commnity pastures, has reduced the incidence in the
last few years.
Sheep scab - Psoroptes awls, also quite prevalent, is being contralmi by
mandatory dipping.
(5) Nog cholera - Periodic hae cholera outbreaks have taken a heavy toll of
swine in past years. The necessary importation of veins for slaughter or of pork
products from affected areas will continue to be occasional sources of infection.
However, recent wider application of new and more efficient vaccine haa provided
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improved protection and reduced losses from this disease,
(6) Newcastle's disease - Newcastle's disease ia the most serious poultry
disease in Switserland. Vaccination is fairly effective in control, but oontinued
introduction of poultry from infected areas makes occasional outbreaks
inevitable. 22// 12/
(7) Other important diseases . Anthrax and blackleg occur sporadically but
losses are limited because of the common practice of vaccination. Contai7ious
agalactia in sheep and goats is a minor problem, but one 'which might become serious
since no effective vaccines have been developed. Myxomatosis of rabbits is period-
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lately serious and no solution to this problem has been found.VI/WW1 /
D. Veterinary organisation and administration
I. Civilian
a. Organization - The Aries Federal Veterinary Office is effectively
organised to provide guidance end supervision of the veterinary regulate**
programs. Under this system, a relatively mall national scrvice force, in
effect, regulates established standards for disease control programs. Cantonal
.4.
CONFIDENTIAL
Chart I
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rONZIDENTIAL
and local private practitioners carry out the major functional duties.
National supervision over veterinary bioloeical and nheraceutical production
is carried ut by the Fedr,
al Vaccine and Jere Control Office. The efficiency of
this agency has resulted in a general international acceptance of Swiss veterinAry
products.
The Federal Vaccine Production Institute at Basel is the only institution in
iwitserlmnd entrusted with foot-and-mouth disease vaccine production* and this is
its principal function.
The Federal Veterinary Office coordinates the policies related to veterinary
matters established by other government divisione* and acts an elle:1.1ton office on
veterinary matters which are the responsibility of veterinary installations and
livestock associations not under its direct control.
Cantonal veterina
re
onsibilities* including meat inspection* are divided
between official veterinary officers and private practitioners - the latter group
subsidised for part-time work.
Allocation of funds for veterinary activities is generally adequate.
emergency requirements in cases of la e-ocale footoand-mouth disease outtn..eaks or
intensive programs* such as tubprculosis eradication* are usually provided on
recommeAation of special commissions.- Chart I.)
b. Wel controls
(1) Licensure - A veterinery diploma from one of the two Swiss veterinary
cone:Fes is required for veterinary employment or practice eligibility..
(2) Cnarantine Laws and amendments* principally based on an import
Law of 1917* are designed to protect 5eiss livestock mai the human population from
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u'..)NFTrENT/AL
introduction of disease through incoming aril-eels or animal products. Inspectien by
the Frontier Vetertnary Office is strengthened wben seric-s disease outbreaks occur
in areas fr.,r which importations are made. The Frontier Veterilery te.s
authority for condemnations quarantine and disinfection of animals, animal products
or transit equipment.
(3) Inspection - !,.ff ctive veterirn7 inspection of anistel iroducta is
conducted throughout 'Switzerland under authority of leeislation of the l'edera1
Council. .14eat inal..ection super'. ion is c ucted by the Gantonal government
veterinarians and milk testing is undertaken in the 'Cantonal Veterin,*-
Bacteriological Institutes.
Veteri arv olice enforce the rei?uletions related to inte2ection an:3
movement of livestock.
Tec Office for Centrol of Sera end Vaccine is responsible for testine and
issuing permits for all veterinary hioloeicals produced in ritzerlar, as well as
those imported.
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c. Professional veterinary ort'anizati..)TIS The ;idse Veterinary Society
(La Societe des Veterineires Suisses), created in 1;13, has a rerabership comprising
at 1.i-est 90 percent of the active profe- ion. It publisees n o ficial scientific
pericdica.I ane is active in the -.;o:-edssion for ideal Health ea.! ;) velopment. The
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Society encouraree ethical conduct to/ members.
d. Vetcrin:3ry medical research - wisa veterinary research is 'eriera
sound and proi. resaive, L lerve share of research support is supplied by the co-zercial
veterinary firma in collaborative projects with the
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ve:7s
or other gOlrf;.' nt
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? ? CONFIDENTIAL
research institutes. The
have been in the field of
eoet significant Swiss veterinary research achievements
aninal physiology, with ticulr emphaAs on
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nutrition and climatology.
f ierency ye
nary rvices - : tz(rland hae a highly efficiently
oreanized system of veterinary crgericy services. Federal authority permits the
mobilization of all ewiss veterinerians in cases of impending serious animal disease
outbreaks. The Veterinary Police, in collaboration with corn law enforcement
bodies, promptly implement veterinary ordee-s dealing 'with quarantine, disinfection
or restricted movement of livestock.
2. Military veterinary service
The Veterieary
is on an equal basis with the Medical Corps of the
gWi3S Prrly. About 500 vet, rinerians are officfrs of Ule corps, but only a few of
these are on continuous active duty. w ch 2,rz,..r nearly all veterinary erseuates
attend a nins-week officer aspirant's course and subsequcntly as lieutenants, a
120-day courses at various stations.. The corps maintains Remmult Depots consistier
of approximately 1500 horses.
Eieety percent are issued to civilians in the militia
each year, and about 1000 had per year are purchased frem european countries as
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replacements.
e. Veterinary manpower
There are aperoximately 800 veterinarians in eeitzerland, About IS percent of
the totel veterinary fo
e is eneaeed in established official posts in federal,
cantonal or municipal aeencies or institetions. The remaineer are -11g, ed in part-
time official duties aa
private eeactice. Seitzerland has an adequate number of
veterinariane to carry out necessary animal disease control and public health
programs. In recent years a considerable nunt_--,er of veterinarians have sought
employment in internstienal aeencies and foreign countries, because of strong
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uvf,TivrairIAL
competition for desirable .ositions in the country itself,
Ne two iwiss vetcrin4ry faculties at Dern r Yurich graduate 40 to 50
veteri: rians each y. r. The level of traiaing is co-parable to that of the better
luropean schools and acceptiple unler standards s(_t by the American Veterinary
Medical Association CaTmittee for evel. t of such institutions. nraduate training
is excellent and regulerly conducted. Ad hoc short courses are !ell attended by
official Fovcrnment cracticine veterinariane.
F. Veterinary medical facilities
Veterinary medical facilities* such as educational* rese,irch and clinical
institutes* rerional diatnoztic laboratoriee and quarantine stati:,ns? arc adequate
and stratei icaily located throuchout witzerland. Nezrly all cantons have
Bac teriolo de al Institute Labor at rieep ecv_lipped to handle specimens and di ai no - tic
material for ; overrnent investigative afencien and private practitioners.
Privae vet(ri nary biol -teal and pharmaceltical cnnc rns cooperate j providing
eq,:iprent and facilities for investigations arri expert:am-Ito beyond the scope of
official ;-,ovcranclat installations.
G. Veterinary supplies ad material
High quality cwis veterin?ry biologicals* pharmaceuticals and ecilAnAnt are
produced in aiequate amount for domestic requirerw.nts for the most part. A con-
side:gable number of items in these cateroriee are also produced for a grc.wing export
market. A few specialty items and rome raw naterials are inTorted. Distribution
of veterin.47 supplie:: is well controlled* with outl,ts throuvh pharmacies or
veterinarians being specified by official regulations. Biologicals and pharmaceuticals
are readly available. A few require adminisration by qualified veterinarians only.
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Foot-and-mouth diseal,e vacine is produced solely Ly the Federal Vaccine Institute
at Basel at an annually estimated rement rate. l'c:mporary emervency requirements
are o east.rnally obtained fro:!: other nearby uropan countries. ?
?.eference data
Chart OrFanization of ,he Swiss Veterinary ervlces.
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Arricuitugs
7re7gRrV7iine
. Production
I stitute
retaria,
General
Department of
Fettel-al Lconcay
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1 tie Clinics and
Institutes
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Production-
Institutes
Bacteriological
- Institutes
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CwFgekdal 31eat
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for
Horse Meat
Veterinary
Mice
neneotors 3
1M/tee-tom I
Ins-peetore 11 of
11 Abattoirs 11
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Veterinarians