Epidemic preparedness
In its service to Swiss agriculture and as a partner of the federal government and the cantons, Circuvalor is responsible for ensuring epidemic preparedness in the cantons of northwestern and western Switzerland. In this role, it guarantees that it has sufficient processing capacity to safely dispose of and process large quantities of infectious animal carcasses as swiftly as possible, even in extreme cases.
We are ready
By virtue of its capacity to process animal carcasses, eleven cantons (AG, BE, BL, BS, FR, GE, JU, NE, SO, VD, VS) have tasked Circuvalor with epidemic preparedness. This makes Circuvalor capable of providing adequate transport capacity and trained staff at all times so that the animals culled by the cantonal veterinary authorities can be transported without any risk of infection and processed at the production facilities in Lyss. As a rule, no animal carcasses are incinerated in Switzerland – even in the event of an epidemic. Instead, they are picked up by a well-coordinated logistics team, sterilized, and processed into animal meal and animal fat. These end products are then used for energy recovery.
A suitable organization has been set up for epidemic preparedness. Special technical equipment with disinfection devices, dumpsters, and trucks stand at the ready to collect the animals. Epidemic preparedness is crucial for the protection of public health and animal welfare in Switzerland.
We provide support in the event of an animal epidemic
Find important information, descriptions, and checklists in our dossier.
FAQs
What is epidemic preparedness and who is responsible for it?
Swiss Circuvalor AG is responsible for epidemic preparedness in the cantons of northwestern and western Switzerland. As a partner of the federal government and the cantons, it ensures that it has the capacity needed to promptly and safely pick up large quantities of infectious animal carcasses in extreme cases.
Which cantons have tasked Swiss Circuvalor with epidemic preparedness?
Eleven cantons have tasked Swiss Circuvalor with epidemic preparedness:
- AG, BE, BL, BS, FR, GE, JU, NE, SO, VD, VS
What happens to animal carcasses in the event of an outbreak?
In Switzerland, animal carcasses are not incinerated – even in the event of an epidemic. The is what happens:
- Immediate pickup of culled animals
- Sterilization at the facilities in Lyss
- Processing into animal meal and animal fat
- Subsequent incineration of the final substances
Who culls the animals and who picks them up?
Cantonal veterinary authorities perform the culling. Swiss Circuvalor then provides adequate transport capacity and trained staff to transport the animal carcasses and process them in Lyss without any risk of infection.
What equipment is available in the event of an outbreak?
Specially equipped vehicles and equipment are ready to pick up the animals:
- Disinfection devices
- Dumpsters
- Loading vehicles
Why is epidemic preparedness so important?
Epidemic preparedness is crucial for the well-being and protection of both human and animal health in Switzerland. It ensures that action can be taken quickly, safely, and in a controlled manner in the event of an outbreak – and prevents infectious diseases from spreading any further.
Why are animal carcasses not burned in the event of an epidemic?
Switzerland relies on resource-efficient processing: Animal carcasses are sterilized and processed into animal meal and animal fat. Only the end products are incinerated. This reduces the environmental impact and follows the principle of recovery before disposal.