Swissveg, previously known as the Swiss Association for Vegetarianism (German: Schweizerische Vereinigung für Vegetarismus, SVV), is a Swiss association in the legal context of article 60ff of the Swiss civil code (SCC). Swissveg runs campaigns, organizes events with the goal to reduce the consumption of animal products.[2]
Organisation
The association has its registered office in Winterthur. The president is Renato Pichler, who is also on the board of EVU.[3]
Swissveg is the biggest community in Switzerland for vegetarians and vegans.[citation needed]
History
The association was founded on 8 August 1993 in Sennwald under the name of Schweizerische Vereinigung für Vegetarismus (SVV).[1] On 3 March 2014 the name of the association was changed to Swissveg.[1]
Swissveg has, together with the EVU, developed the V-Label. They control which products and services can use this label within Switzerland. Products with the V-label are available at all major groceries in Switzerland: For example in Migros,[4]Coop (Switzerland).[5] and Lidl.[6] About 350 Swiss companies use the V-Label.[7]
Events
Swissveg annually organises several events, including vegetarian and vegan festivals. Veganmanias have been held since 2011. The 2016 edition in Aarau attracted 5,000 visitors, making it the largest of all vegan festivals in Switzerland. Previous editions were held in Winterthur, but due to a lack of space to accommodate the attendees, the organisation chose to move the festival to Aarau.[8][9] In Gossau, St. Gallen, Veganmania was held first in 2017, then featuring 60 stands.[10]