(Bloomberg) — The Swiss government will introduce new rules next year requiring foie gras and other products from force-fed poultry to carry a special label.

It responded to an initiative by Swiss animal protection groups, which had collected enough signatures to hold a national vote on whether to introduce an import ban. The administration on Wednesday recommended that lawmakers reject the initiative, saying it would restrict consumers’ freedom of choice too severely.

The government said it was introducing the new label to address campaigners’ concerns. This requirement, intended to apply to all animal products made without painkillers, including certain frog legs, is expected to come into force from mid-2025.

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