While the ‘cow horn initiative’ wants the Swiss constitution to include subsidies for farmers who do not remove their cows’ horns, opponents aver that de-horning calves prevents injuries later. However, advocates of bovine rights have added a new angle by asserting it is a matter of the cows’ self-esteem, an aspect that Switzerland with 1.6 million cows (one for every five humans) cannot ignore.
Admittedly, Europe is beset with many more important issues such as illegal immigration and climate change, but the considerable financial implications of a horn subsidy cannot be disregarded. It has been pointed out recently that Swiss bovines are inclined to be much fatter now too; this, coupled with large horns also means greater manoeuvring room for each cow and a resultant rise in space needs. As India has the world’s largest bovine population, will the Swiss vote outcome make us pause for the cows too?