Scotland and Wales have developed distinct animal welfare code systems with sometimes higher standards than England, reflecting the devolved nature of animal welfare legislation in the UK.
The devolved welfare code system creates both opportunities and challenges. Opportunity, because progressive nations can lead by example - Scotland's more prescriptive pig welfare code pushes higher standards into market requirements. Challenge, because cross-border trading creates unlevel playing fields where producers in more regulated areas compete against those in less regulated ones. The most effective use of devolution has been to use it as a testing ground for welfare improvements - demonstrating that higher standards are achievable and economically viable, which then creates evidence for improvement in other nations. Harmonisation at the highest standard achievable remains a key goal for welfare advocates.