Switzerland

The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) is part of the Federal Department of Home Affairs. The office is responsible for risk assessments and risk management in the area of animal health and welfare, food safety and consumer protection.

The FSVO is also responsible for the safety of utility articles, such as toys and cosmetics. In addition, the FSVO monitors and controls the import, export and transit of livestock and domestic animals, animal products, food, and internationally protected flora and fauna (CITES Convention). In close collaboration with the Swiss Federal Customs Administration, the FSVO is responsible for the control of foodstuffs and utility articles at the border.

In cooperation with importing countries, the FSVO also issues veterinary documents for the export of animals and animal products.

The FSVO is the regulatory authority for plant protection products.

The regulatory authority for veterinary drugs is the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (Swissmedic), while risks associated with residues of veterinary drugs in food of animal origin are covered by the FSVO. 

The Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) is an office of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research and is responsible for agricultural policy, safety of food of plant origin during primary production and safety of animal feed. Together with the cantons and farmers' organisations, the FOAG implements decisions by the people, the parliament and the government.

The FOAG is responsible for risk assessments and risk management in the area of animal feed. Actual control and inspection activities are carried out by the research institute Agroscope. 

On behalf of the FOAG and FSVO, the Federal Food Chain Unit (FFCU) audits the implementation and enforcement of national legislation by federal and cantonal authorities in the area of plant health, feed safety, food safety, animal health and animal welfare. The FFCU also prepares and coordinates the implementation and evaluation of the multi-annual national control plan (MANCP).