Just over 70% of Swiss voters have rejected a referendum proposal to give animals lawyers who would represent them in court. All 26 cantons voted against the move by animal rights activists. In some cantons, the No vote was more than 80%. Although this system is already in place in Zurich, the Swiss clearly thought that it was too expensive and too bizarre to be extended to the whole country. All of the cantons would have been forced to engage animal advocates.

 The president of the Swiss Farmers' Union, Hansjorg Walter, said: "Voters have taken a pragmatic decision and acknowledged that Switzerland has one of the strictest animal welfare laws. The Union wants proper enforcement of animal welfare. Violations harm the image of farmers. But there are stringent checks and penalties for misconduct are already severe." ~ London Telegraph, Mar 8