Welfare Science

Farm Animal Welfare Legislation Progress

Animal welfare legislation is advancing globally with some jurisdictions leading transformative change while others lag significantly behind.

Key Facts

The EU Farm to Fork strategy includes specific farm animal welfare improvement targets
California Proposition 12 set the most comprehensive confinement standards in the US
New Zealand and some European countries have banned farrowing crates and veal crates
International standards through the OIE provide a baseline that many countries exceed

Welfare Considerations

Legislative change translates welfare science into enforceable standards that improve lives at scale. The gap between leading and lagging jurisdictions creates trade inequalities and animal welfare disparities. Advocacy for strong legislation remains one of the highest-impact paths to welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Engage with elected representatives on farm animal welfare legislation
Support welfare organizations working on policy reform at national and international levels
Vote for candidates who prioritize animal welfare in their policy platforms
Share information about welfare legislation with your network to build public support