Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Trade Policy

Trade policy significantly affects pig welfare by determining which production standards compete in global markets. Welfare-sensitive trade policy protects higher welfare producers.

Key Facts

Post-Brexit UK trade deals could undermine UK pig welfare standards through import competition
WTO rules limit welfare-based import restrictions but allow labelling requirements
Consumer labelling of production method origin enables informed choice
Trade agreements that require welfare equivalence raise global standards
The EU has explored welfare conditionality in trade agreements

Welfare Considerations

Trade policy is an underappreciated welfare lever. Allowing imports produced to lower welfare standards undermines domestic welfare improvements and creates unfair competition for progressive producers.

What You Can Do

Support trade policy advocacy linking import standards to welfare requirements
Advocate for welfare origin labelling in food trade agreements
Learn about the interaction between trade policy and animal welfare standards
Support domestic high-welfare producers vulnerable to import competition