Farmed Animals

Livestock Welfare Standards in Global Supply Chains

Global food supply chains source from multiple countries with widely varying welfare standards, creating challenges for consumer choice and corporate accountability.

Key Facts

Major food retailers source animal products from dozens of countries with different welfare requirements
Welfare standards in exporting countries are often lower than in importing jurisdictions
Third-party auditing of overseas supply chains is expensive and faces access limitations
Consumer decisions about imported animal products are complicated by limited origin transparency
Trade agreements can create race-to-the-bottom dynamics when lower-welfare products undercut domestic producers

Welfare Considerations

Global supply chain welfare complexity means that domestic welfare reforms can be undermined by import competition from lower-welfare producers. UK egg welfare improvements are undermined if processed egg products from battery cage systems can be imported without equivalent standards. Mandatory welfare standards applying to imported products at the level of domestic requirements is the most effective tool for preventing welfare offshoring.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory import welfare standards matching domestic requirements in your jurisdiction
Advocate for country-of-origin labeling that enables consumer welfare-informed choices
Choose locally sourced animal products with verifiable welfare standards where possible
Support trade agreement negotiations that include binding welfare provisions
Learn about the welfare implications of different origin country standards for commonly purchased animal products