Farm Animals

Farmed Pig Welfare: Global Standards Harmonisation

Harmonising global pig welfare standards reduces welfare arbitrage through trade and creates level playing fields.

Key Facts

Trade agreements that include welfare standards prevent welfare arbitrage through cheaper imports
OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) develops international animal welfare standards
EU efforts to include welfare in trade agreements have had limited success to date
Consumer labelling that reveals country-of-origin welfare differences enables informed choice

Welfare Considerations

Global welfare standards harmonisation is essential for preventing welfare arbitrage - the competitive disadvantage created when higher welfare domestic producers compete with lower welfare imports. Progress is slow but the principle is established in OIE standards and trade agreement negotiations. Country-of-origin labelling provides interim transparency.

What You Can Do

Support organisations advocating for welfare standards in international trade agreements
Choose country-of-origin labelled pork where welfare standards differ significantly
Advocate for OIE welfare standard adoption as a condition of trade agreements