Trade and Animal Welfare
Following the UK’s exit from the European Union in 2020, the UK Government has since agreed and negotiated free trade agreements (FTAs) with various countries - the majority of whom have lower animal welfare standards than ours. The UK has higher animal welfare standards than most other confirmed and prospective trade partners in virtually every area that has been negotiated to date, particularly with regards to on-farm standards and regulatory processes.
It is our view that all FTAs should have a chapter on animal welfare, including detailed provisions on animal welfare cooperation. Any FTA should also formally recognise the links between animal welfare and sustainable development (e.g. antimicrobial resistance) under their respective sustainable development chapters.
We therefore continue to urge the UK Government to agree a trade policy and adopt a transparent approach to agreeing Free Trade Agreements.
We would like to see the development of core animal welfare standards to stop tariff-free imports of meat, eggs or dairy products being produced in conditions that would be illegal in Britain.