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The Association |
Hansruedi Vonlanthen
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The Association |
Hansruedi Vonlanthen
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Request for clarification: We are calling on the BLW for clarity – Head of the Animal Breeding Ordinance Division: Christian Stricker.
Haflinger-Pentagon Sàrl-GmbH has today sent a formal letter to the Federal Office for Agriculture (BLW), Legal and Procedural Affairs Division.
For years, as the umbrella organisation for the three internationally recognised studbooks of the Haflinger breed — HPT (Tyrol), A.N.A.C.R.Ha.I. (South Tyrol) and FN (Germany) — we have been calling for the Swiss authorities to treat us in accordance with the law. Instead of answers, we are met with evasive manoeuvres.
In the BLW’s most recent letter dated 18 May 2026, the Head of the Animal Breeding Division, Mr Christian Stricker, has once again refused to address our legal arguments. He is demanding that we provide a legal basis — one which he himself is unable to specify.
Our response is clear: we demand an immediate written reply to the question of which legal basis within the Animal Breeding Ordinance the BLW (Christian Stricker) is relying on when refusing to recognise Haflinger-Pentagon Sàrl-GmbH.
The paradox remains: the Swiss Haflinger Association (SHV) — structurally an umbrella organisation like ourselves — has enjoyed recognition by the BLW for years. Same structures, unequal treatment. That is discrimination.
With the Horse Breeding Ordinance sought by the Federal Council — separate from the Animal Breeding Ordinance and based on international standards — we finally expect the opportunity to place Haflinger horse breeding in Switzerland on a solid, modern footing.
The reply from Christian Stricker, Animal Breeding Division, BLW.
We are taking action. We are providing information. We will wait no longer.
On behalf of the umbrella organisation Haflinger-Pentagon Sàrl-GmbH, represented by Hansruedi Vonlanthen