Trade agreements have significant implications for animal welfare when they import products from countries with lower welfare standards, potentially undermining domestic welfare improvements.
International trade creates a direct tension between domestic welfare improvements and global market access. If the UK or EU improves welfare standards for domestic producers but imports products produced to lower welfare standards, consumers may choose cheaper imports, undermining the domestic welfare investment. Trade agreement analysis must therefore consider whether welfare provisions are enforceable and whether import requirements can be maintained within WTO rules. Consumer awareness and welfare labeling requirements at point of sale can address this by enabling consumers to choose domestic welfare standards even when lower-welfare imports are available.