First experiences from the 2025 control season

Ten per cent of Swiss organic farms are randomly selected each year for unannounced inspections to ensure compliance with the Organic Farming Ordinance and any labelling requirements. In addition, many cantons delegate their unannounced inspection mandates (e.g. for animal welfare or animal welfare programs) to the inspection and certification bodies.

Barely has the new year begun when the doorbell rings. The organic inspector shows up unexpectedly and announces that he or she needs to conduct an unannounced additional inspection. 

If an unannounced inspection takes place on your farm, it should not be interpreted as a lack of trust. The inspection usually occurs because the farm has registered for a new program (e.g. "RAUS Laying Hens") or is due for a routine check. Only a small fraction of unannounced additional inspections is triggered by suspicion, a report from a third party, or due to past deficiencies.

Knospe Hens in the snow

On a Bio Suisse farm, laying hens must be given access to pasture or, alternatively, to a bad-weather run, even when the ground is covered in snow. Only in the case of strong winds or on the day following heavy rainfall may pasture access be replaced by a bad weather run. For flocks of 500 or more laying hens, a bad weather run is mandatory. This guideline was introduced to protect the grass cover. Bio Suisse hens must be given daily access to an outdoor climate area, regardless of weather conditions. In this regard, the label provider sets higher requirements than animal welfare programs. This often leads to misunderstandings and, as a result, to irregularities.

Is the biller of hay certified?

Feed in big bags and hay in any form are considered bulk feed. This means that the seller issuing the invoice for purchased feed must be certified—either as a feed trader or as a farmer. If this is not the case, the feed loses its organic status, and the farm is penalised for buying non-organic or non-Knospe-certified feed. This circumstance regularly causes outrage among the affected farms, which originally purchased compliant feed at regular prices. It is therefore important to ensure that the seller is organically certified whenever buying bulk feed.

Exercise journal as a Recurring Issue

Experience has shown that incomplete or outdated exercise and animal treatment journals are among the most frequent irregularities found during unannounced inspections. The exercise of a group or herd that is allowed to go into the exercise yard or pasture together must be documented in the exercise journal no later than three days. If cattle, water buffalo, horses, sheep, and goats are allowed outside or given access to pasture daily, the entry - put simply - only needs to be documented on the first and last day of this period. Inspection experience has shown that exercise journals placed on the fridge are generally kept more up to date than those stored away in stable folders.

Animal treatments must be documented

The administration of all veterinary medicinal products that require record-keeping must be documented in the animal treatment journal without delay. The use of an official treatment journal (e.g. from Agridea) ensures that no essential detail is forgotten. All organic farms must observe and record the double withdrawal period when administering chemically synthesised medicinal products. Bio Suisse farms must also adhere to and document the guidelines regarding antibiotic use. This applies to the requirement for bacteriological testing prior to any antibiotic treatment, as well as antibiograms when using dry-off treatments and critical antibiotics. The bio.inspecta treatment journal, which includes a dedicated column for antibiotics, can help with documentation.
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Various Farm Areas 

Since the random inspections carried out so far in 2025 took place outside of the growing season, most irregularities were found in animal husbandry and hardly differed from the shortcomings observed in previous years during the same period. Animal welfare deficiencies, irregularities in the specifications of the animal welfare programs, and label requirements stood out. Experience has shown that water protection, which is becoming increasingly important, regularly triggers a need for adjustments at some farms during the winter months.

Positive conclusion

The conclusion after the first month of the 2025 inspection season is positive. Farm managers accepted the unannounced visit from the bio.inspecta auditor, recognizing that this will strengthen the credibility of organic farms.

Most organic farms demonstrate responsible farm management. This is reflected in an appealing farm environment and healthy animals that are fed good quality, farm-produced feed and, like us humans, are eagerly awaiting spring.

Ten per cent of Swiss organic farms must undergo random, unannounced inspections each year to ensure compliance with the Organic Farming Ordinance and any relevant label requirements. In addition, many cantons delegate their unannounced inspection mandates (e.g. on animal welfare or animal welfare programs) to inspection and certification bodies.

This article appeared on www.bioaktuell.ch on 18 March 2025 (in german).