Global Livestock Welfare Frameworks

How international and national frameworks for livestock welfare are developing and what gaps remain in global welfare governance.

Key Facts

The World Organisation for Animal Health has developed terrestrial and aquatic animal welfare standards
Implementation of international welfare standards is voluntary and highly variable across countries
High-income countries have generally stronger welfare legislation than low and middle income countries
Global supply chains mean that welfare standards in producing countries affect consumers worldwide
Trade agreements increasingly include animal welfare provisions as part of market access conditions

Welfare Considerations

Global livestock welfare governance reflects enormous disparities between jurisdictions in both standards and enforcement. International frameworks like OIE standards provide minimum guidance but lack enforcement mechanisms. High-income country legislation drives significant welfare improvement within national supply chains, but import standards rarely match domestic requirements, creating welfare arbitrage. Trade agreements that include welfare provisions — like the EU-New Zealand agreement — represent an emerging mechanism for extending welfare standards through market access requirements. Closing the gap between aspirational frameworks and implementation remains the central challenge.

What You Can Do

Support trade policy that includes meaningful animal welfare requirements for imports
Engage with organizations working on global livestock welfare governance
Advocate for import welfare standards equivalent to domestic requirements
Learn about global welfare governance gaps through farm animal welfare organizations