Farm Animal Welfare: Welfare Standards in Trade Agreements

International trade agreements create opportunities to embed or undermine animal welfare standards by importing products from countries with lower welfare baselines.

Key Facts

UK post-Brexit trade agreements have raised concerns about imports of chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef
Higher-welfare UK standards can be undercut if products produced to lower standards are imported and compete on price
The National Food Strategy recommended that welfare standards be maintained in future trade deals
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) provides international welfare guidelines that could be incorporated into trade law
The WTO generally prohibits trade restrictions based on production methods but welfare exceptions may be possible

Welfare Considerations

Trade policy is a critical and underappreciated lever for animal welfare. Without border measures that require imported animal products to meet equivalent welfare standards, domestic welfare improvements are undermined by cheaper imports produced to lower standards. This creates economic pressure on domestic producers to reduce their welfare standards to compete. Consumer awareness of trade welfare risks and political engagement with this issue are essential.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for welfare-equivalent standards to be required in UK and EU trade agreements
Engage with your elected representatives about animal welfare standards in trade negotiations
Learn about the welfare implications of different trade agreement provisions
Support farmers and welfare organisations working to maintain welfare standards in trade policy