Summary
Between October 2025 and March 2026, Swiss authorities inspected 12,224 sheep farms for footrot. The proportion of affected farms declined from 22 percent (first period) to 9 percent in the second inspection period. The Federal Office of Food Security and Veterinary Affairs (BLV) conducts the coordinated control program jointly with cantonal veterinary services. The goal is to reduce positive farms to below one percent within five years.
Persons
- Laurent Monnerat (Director BLV)
Topics
- Animal health and veterinary medicine
- Sheep farming in Switzerland
- Infectious diseases in livestock
- Coordinated control programs
Clarus Lead
The halving of the infection rate within one year signals that decentralized control models with cantonal responsibility work measurably – a model that becomes relevant for other animal diseases. However, success depends on compliance by sheep farmers; the third control period (October 2026 to March 2027) will show whether the momentum continues or saturation effects occur.
Detailed Summary
Footrot is a contagious hoof disease that causes pain in sheep and results in economic losses in farming. The coordinated control program is based on three pillars: proper hoof trimming, regular hoof baths in affected herds, and consistent biosecurity measures in all holdings. The strategy forgoes quarantines or culling, instead relying on remediation through management measures.
The methodological refinement of the initial rate from 21 to 22 percent indicates improvements in data collection. The reduction to 9 percent is attributed by the BLV primarily to the commitment of farm operators and cooperation between cantonal veterinary services, veterinarians, laboratories, and the advisory and health service for small ruminants (BGK). The third control period begins in October 2026.
Key Statements
- Infection rate in inspected sheep farms reduced by 59 percent
- Decentralized control model with cantonal veterinary authority demonstrates effectiveness
- Success based on three pillars: hoof care, hoof baths, biosecurity
- Target of less than one percent affected farms within five years pursued
Critical Questions
Data Quality: How is comparability ensured between the first and second periods if the initial rate was retroactively adjusted from 21 to 22 percent – could further methodological revisions put the success record into perspective?
Selection Bias: Are the 12,224 inspected farms representative of all Swiss sheep farms, or were inspections concentrated on known affected regions?
Causality: Can the decline from 22 to 9 percent be unambiguously attributed to the program, or do seasonal factors, farm closures, or natural recovery play a role?
Compliance Measurement: How is it verified that sheep farmers actually implement the three intervention pillars, and what sanctions apply for non-compliance?
Cost Efficiency: What direct costs do farms incur through hoof baths and hoof trimming, and are these subsidized or borne by farmers?
Long-term Trend: Do linear improvements continue after the third period (2027), or does the rate stabilize at a higher level?
Source Directory
Primary Source: Federal Office of Food Security and Veterinary Affairs (BLV) – Media Release on Footrot Control – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/sPVyxcCdAz2rZflN5plDG
Verification Status: ✓ 05.05.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 05.05.2026