Policy

Global Animal Welfare: Progress and Challenges Worldwide

Animal welfare standards vary enormously across the world; international cooperation and trade policy are key levers for global improvement.

Key Facts

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) sets international animal welfare guidelines
The EU Veterinary Equivalence principle creates trade barriers that incentivize welfare improvement
56% of the world's land animals are farmed in Asia with minimal welfare regulation
The OIE terrestrial animal health code covers transport, slaughter, and some farm practices
International trade agreements are increasingly incorporating animal welfare provisions

Welfare Considerations

Global animal welfare is constrained by the race to the bottom in international trade: low-welfare, low-cost production displaces higher-welfare competitors unless welfare is incorporated into trade standards. The EU Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy attempt to prevent this dynamic by conditioning market access on welfare equivalence. International cooperation through WOAH and bilateral agreements is the primary mechanism for elevating global welfare floors.

What You Can Do

Support trade policy that incorporates animal welfare standards
Advocate for your government to condition trade agreements on welfare equivalence
Donate to Humane Society International global welfare campaigns
Follow and engage with WOAH public consultation processes on welfare guidelines
Support international NGOs documenting and improving welfare in low-regulation contexts