Global Animal Welfare: Toward an International Framework for Animal Protection

Animal welfare standards vary enormously across countries, creating welfare disparities and trade distortions. International frameworks for baseline animal welfare protections could transform outcomes for billions of animals globally.

Key Facts

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has developed animal welfare standards but they are non-binding
Trade in animal products between countries with vastly different welfare standards creates perverse economic incentives
The EU is pursuing border adjustment mechanisms that would apply welfare-equivalent requirements to imported animal products
A Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare has been proposed but not adopted at the United Nations level
The CIWF Global Welfare Fund supports welfare improvements in countries with rapidly growing intensive animal agriculture
India has among the most comprehensive animal welfare laws in Asia but enforcement capacity is severely limited
Many countries including China and Brazil are developing or strengthening animal welfare legislation under domestic pressure
International trade negotiations increasingly include animal welfare provisions as part of sustainability and standards frameworks

Welfare Considerations

The globalization of animal agriculture has created a world where welfare standards set in one country determine production conditions for animals raised to supply another. High-welfare markets importing from low-welfare producers effectively export animal suffering while improving their domestic standards. Building international frameworks for baseline animal welfare — through binding WOAH standards, trade agreement welfare clauses, and border adjustment mechanisms — is essential for ensuring that welfare progress in leading countries does not simply shift production and suffering elsewhere. This is among the most consequential systemic changes available for global animal welfare.

What You Can Do

Support organizations working on international animal welfare frameworks including CIWF and the World Animal Protection
Advocate for your government to include animal welfare provisions in international trade agreements
Support EU border adjustment mechanisms that require imported animal products to meet welfare-equivalent standards
Choose products certified to international welfare standards when importing from countries with lower domestic standards
Follow and amplify the progress of national animal welfare law development in major producing countries
Donate to global welfare organizations working directly with producers and governments in key animal-producing countries