Welfare Science

International Trade Levers for Animal Welfare

International trade rules can both support and hinder animal welfare, with welfare standards in trade agreements offering potential to drive global improvement.

Key Facts

The WTO restricts trade barriers including those based on animal welfare standards
EU import equivalence requirements could set global welfare standards through market access
Trade agreements can include animal welfare chapters with enforcement mechanisms
The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement includes animal welfare provisions
Market access conditions are more effective welfare drivers than aid or capacity building

Welfare Considerations

International trade creates both a risk of welfare arbitrage and an opportunity to drive global welfare improvement through market access conditions. The EU's market size gives it leverage to set global welfare standards through import requirements. This represents one of the most powerful available levers for international welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for welfare equivalence requirements in trade agreements
Engage with MEPs and MPs about welfare provisions in trade negotiations
Support organisations working on international welfare policy
Advocate for stronger WOAH (OIE) welfare guideline enforcement
Learn about which trade agreements affect welfare standards for food imports