Animal welfare law varies enormously between countries, creating significant differences in the protections afforded to animals and the remedies available when they are harmed.
Legal protection translates directly into welfare outcomes: animals in countries with strong, enforced legislation suffer less from preventable harms including inadequate housing, cruel practices, and neglect. The global patchwork of welfare laws means that supply chains can shift production to lower-regulation countries when importing nations raise standards. International harmonisation and trade-linked welfare requirements are therefore essential complements to domestic legislation.