Animal welfare improvement requires international cooperation because food trade can undercut national standards, and many animals including migratory species cross borders.
International animal welfare governance is essential because welfare improvements in one country can be undermined by imports from lower-standard producers. Trade policy that requires welfare equivalence for market access is a powerful lever: EU regulations restricting battery cage imports from third countries have incentivised global cage-free transitions. WOAH standards provide a baseline that, while minimal, establish international welfare commitments. Strengthening these standards through scientific input, civil society advocacy, and diplomatic engagement is a high-leverage global welfare strategy.