About
Animal Policy International is an international trade and animal welfare organisation and think tank operating across New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
We are a registered charity in New Zealand (Animal Policy NZ Trust, CC63828), in the EU (MTÜ Animal Policy International, Estonian registry code 80638589, EU Transparency Register 0491253100612-09), and operate in the United States through a fiscal sponsorship with Players Philanthropy Fund (Federal Tax ID: 27-6601178), a Maryland charitable trust with federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3).
What we do
Our work sits at the intersection of international trade policy and animal welfare regulation. We produce evidence-based research on trade law, supply chain dynamics, and the policy frameworks that govern how animal products move across borders - including WTO rules, free trade agreements, and domestic import standards.
Our current focus is on import standards - specifically, the gap between the welfare standards countries set for their own producers and the standards applied to the products they import. We work alongside other NGOs, farmers, industry bodies, trade experts, and policymakers to close that gap. Our reports have been cited by parliamentarians, farming organisations, and media across New Zealand, the UK, and the EU.
Our approach
Countries like New Zealand and the UK have already established clear public morals positions on animal welfare through domestic legislation - banning practices such as sow stalls and battery cages following sustained public demand. Under GATT Article XX, WTO rules recognise the right of countries to align their trade policies with these established values, provided standards are applied consistently to both domestic and imported products.
Our role is to provide the research and policy frameworks that help governments take the next step: ensuring their import rules reflect the standards they have already set locally.
Meet our team
Our team brings together expertise in policy development, trade, farmed animal welfare, international law, economics, and public affairs. We are currently focused across three core regions - New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the European Union - reflecting the global nature of the trade issues we focus on.
We are supported by an advisory panel of specialists in international trade law, agricultural policy, animal welfare regulation, communications and political strategy, who provide independent guidance on our research and advocacy.
Mandy Carter
Co-Executive Director
Rainer Kravets
Co-Executive Director
Tashi Thomas
Head of Policy
Mona Oliver
Public Affairs Manager
Aayami Sapkota
Programmes Assistant
Romy Gelber
Research and Policy Manager
Giovanna Maroder
Researcher
Helen Willis
Researcher
Advisors
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Supporters
Animal Policy International is supported and funded through a mix of charitable grants and individual donations. We maintain full editorial and research independence regardless of funding source. Our supporters include:
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Partnerships
Animal Policy International works within international networks across multiple jurisdictions. Some of our partnerships include:
Get involved
Interested in supporting work to advance animal welfare in international trade? We are currently looking for regional organisers in New Zealand and communications and design volunteers. Have other relevant skills that would be useful? We’d love to hear from you.
Please indicate your interest by filling this application form.