MCH Swiss Exhibition Ltd. (Swiss Exhibition) considers the decision taken by the Federal Office for Public Health (BAG) on SARS in connection with BASELWORLD to be unlawful. It has lodged an appeal with the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs against the corresponding BAG directive of April 1, 2003. Swiss Exhibition contends that the directive violates Federal law and is unreasonable.

In view of the spreading SARS disease, and based on a relevant Federal Council decree, the Federal Office for Public Health (BAG) ordered Swiss Exhibition on April 1 to ensure “that the exhibitors of the World Watch and Jewellery Show in Basel and Zurich (BASELWORLD) do not employ any persons at the Show who spent time in China, Hong Kong, Singapore or Vietnam after March 1, 2003 and travelled from there to Switzerland either directly or indirectly."

The number of exhibiting firms directly affected by this directive was 394 of a total of 2163 (11 of the total 1377 in Basel and 383 of the total 786 in Zurich). These organisations were forced to withdraw as exhibitors at BASELWORLD from April 3 to 10, 2003 due to the impossibility of recruiting stand personnel from other countries at such short notice. The estimated 3,000 employees of these firms – and all other persons who had spent time in the SARS countries designated by the BAG after March 1, 2003 – were allowed, however, to remain in Switzerland and also to visit BASELWORLD.

Swiss Exhibition considers, however, that the measures imposed made no contribution whatsoever to the protection of the population. It also criticizes the way in which the directive transpired.

Swiss Exhibition has an interest in ensuring that a higher-level authority reviews the legality of the BAG directive, in particular with regard to the conduct of future fairs and events.

The BAG directive had drastic consequences for BASELWORLD, especially at the Zurich venue, where the number of exhibiting firms was reduced by approximately half and the exhibition area was decreased to about one-third. The employment prohibition for nearly 400 companies was one of the reasons why BASELWORLD suffered a 22 percent decline in the number of visitors compared with 2002. What is more, the future inclusion of the Zurich venue within the BASELWORLD concept has been placed in serious doubt.

Not surprisingly, the affected companies have announced their intention to sue for damages. The extent of these actions cannot yet be estimated. Nor can monetary figures be placed on the negative effects on Switzerland’s trade relations with the countries in question or the damage done to Switzerland’s image as a trade fair venue.

The Exhibition Management is also currently reviewing the continued inclusion – or discontinuation – of the Zurich venue in the BASELWORLD concept. This means determining the conditions under which the Zurich location might be retained and also examining possible alternatives.