Welfare Science

Pig Welfare and Welfare and Trade Policy

International trade policy significantly affects pig welfare, with welfare standards varying enormously between trading partners.

Key Facts

Post-Brexit UK trade agreements allow imports from countries with lower welfare standards
EU trade agreements increasingly include animal welfare provisions as conditions
Import welfare equivalence requirements ensure imports meet domestic welfare standards
WTO rules complicate welfare-based import restrictions but do not prevent all such measures
Trade policy advocacy is an underutilised tool in pig welfare advocacy

Welfare Considerations

Trade policy shapes global welfare standards. Advocating for welfare equivalence in import requirements prevents welfare regression and creates global uplift.

What You Can Do

Advocate for welfare equivalence in import requirements for pig products
Engage with trade policy consultations on animal welfare provisions
Support organisations working on animal welfare in international trade