Welfare Science

Global Farm Animal Welfare Trade Policy

International trade agreements can either protect or undermine domestic animal welfare standards, and welfare-sensitive trade policy is increasingly important.

Key Facts

UK post-Brexit trade deals faced pressure to allow imports from lower welfare countries
The UK Agriculture Act 2020 contains provisions to consider animal welfare in trade
Consumer labelling requirements could inform purchase decisions across different welfare systems
Equivalence clauses allowing lower-standard imports undermine domestic welfare investments
Some trade agreements now include animal welfare provisions as non-tariff standards

Welfare Considerations

Trade policy determines whether high welfare standards are rewarded or undercut in the marketplace. Welfare-sensitive trade policy protects domestic welfare investment and creates positive incentives for global welfare improvement. Weak trade policy does the opposite.

What You Can Do

Advocate for animal welfare to be included as a mandatory standard in trade agreements
Support origin labelling requirements that allow consumers to make informed welfare choices
Learn about trade policy impacts on animal welfare standards