Farm Animal Welfare Post-Brexit Policy

The UK's departure from the EU has created both opportunities and risks for farm animal welfare policy, with divergence from EU standards possible in both directions.

Key Facts

EU animal welfare directives no longer apply directly in the UK, which has retained equivalent provisions in domestic law
The UK Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 goes beyond EU requirements in recognising animal sentience in domestic law
UK trade deal negotiations post-Brexit raised concerns about importing food produced to lower welfare standards
The Action Plan for Animal Welfare published by the UK government committed to maintaining and strengthening welfare standards
Devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have some separate powers over animal welfare policy
UK bans on battery cages were maintained post-Brexit, but enforcement of equivalent standards for imports remains a challenge

Welfare Considerations

Brexit created a policy fork for UK animal welfare - either a race to the bottom driven by trade deal liberalisation, or an opportunity to go beyond EU minimum standards. Early post-Brexit legislation suggests ambition for the latter, but implementation and trade policy will determine actual outcomes. Civil society engagement with the post-Brexit welfare policy agenda is crucial to ensure legislative ambition translates into improved outcomes for farm animals.

What You Can Do

Engage with consultations on post-Brexit farm animal welfare policy from Defra and devolved authorities
Support organisations monitoring post-Brexit welfare policy implementation
Advocate for import welfare standards to match UK domestic production requirements
Support UK farmers maintaining high welfare standards who face unfair competition from lower-welfare imports
Contact your MP about the welfare implications of specific trade agreements being negotiated