Welfare Science

Pig Welfare and Trade Policy Coherence

Why trade policy must align with animal welfare standards to prevent welfare regression through imports.

Key Facts

The UK and EU ban certain production methods including sow gestation crates while allowing imports from countries that use them
Welfare equivalence requirements in trade agreements could prevent the export of animal suffering
Consumer demand for cheaper imports from lower-welfare systems undercuts higher welfare domestic producers
Trade policy reform including import welfare standards is advocated by welfare organisations and farmers alike

Welfare Considerations

Trade policy incoherence - banning practices domestically while importing products made with those same practices - creates moral inconsistency and economic disadvantage for higher-welfare domestic producers. Welfare standards must extend to imports for meaningful, globally coherent animal protection.

What You Can Do

Advocate for welfare equivalence requirements in UK and EU trade agreements
Support domestic producers committed to higher welfare standards through purchasing choices
Engage with trade policy consultations when animal welfare import standards are under discussion