Welfare Science

Farm Animal Welfare in International Trade Agreements

International trade agreements can either support or undermine farm animal welfare depending on how welfare standards are negotiated.

Key Facts

The UK's post-Brexit trade agreements have raised concerns about importing lower-welfare products
Australia and New Zealand have higher welfare standards in some areas but lower in others
Trade agreements can create unfair competition for domestic high-welfare producers
Mutual recognition of equivalence claims can mask genuine welfare standard differences
Civil society organisations have successfully advocated for welfare provisions in some trade agreements

Welfare Considerations

Trade agreements have profound long-term consequences for farm animal welfare by determining which products can be imported at what standards. An agreement that allows importation of products produced under conditions illegal in the domestic market undermines domestic welfare progress and drives a race to the bottom. Welfare provisions in trade agreements are a legitimate and important advocacy target.

What You Can Do

Engage with consultations on trade agreements that affect animal product imports
Support campaigns for welfare safeguards in international trade agreements
Advocate for trade agreements that enable high-welfare systems to compete fairly