Swiss voters across the country will vote today on whether to subsidize farmers who let their cows and goats keep their horns.
The referendum is the result of an eight-year campaign by Amin Capaul, above, originally from the canton of Graubünden. He and his supporters believe that farm animals experience negative effects from losing their horns, and that they play a role in metabolism, hygiene and communication. They were able to collect over 100,000 signatures to put the issue on the ballot.
The subsidy idea is based on animals with horns needing larger stalls and other accommodations because the horns take up space, and also because animals could injure each other with them. Capaul feels it is unfair for farmers who, in his view, take better care of livestock to bear the cost of doing so.
UPDATE: In Sunday’s voting, the referendum was defeated, with 54.7% of those who voted voting no. Armin Capaul, its sponsor, says he and his supporters will meet to plan their next steps.