Key facts
Identitas AG is 51% owned by the Confederation and is controlled by means of strategic objectives. Its main objective is to operate the Animal Tracing Database on behalf of the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) and the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO). It also provides commercial services to the Confederation, the cantons and private individuals. These include a free trilingual customer service line and logistical and financial services.
Services to the Confederation generated turnover of around CHF 12 million in 2023. Identitas AG finances the Animal Tracing Database by collecting fees from the private sector. Following a decline in fee revenue in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Council increased the fees by 50% in 2023. This increase allows the programme for overhauling the Animal Tracing Database to be financed, and to establish a liquidity reserve against the risks of epizootic diseases.
The Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) examined the management of Identitas AG and found that it provides its services efficiently. Although Identitas AG is exploring the potential for improving day-to-day efficiency, it should include efficiency goals in its business strategy to a greater extent. It should also focus more on specifying and achieving efficiency gains as part of the programme for overhauling the Animal Tracing Database.