CLOSING THE WELFARE GAP & THIRD COUNTRIES

European Union: This report examines how the EU’s trading partners may respond to a requirement for imported eggs and egg products to meet equivalent animal welfare standards. Drawing on previous EU import requirements, WTO precedents and analysis of major egg-exporting countries, the report considers the incentives and practical capacity of suppliers to meet higher welfare standards. Published as the European Commission prepares its revision of animal welfare rules for laying hens, the report examines why concerns about trade retaliation should not prevent the EU from introducing equivalent requirements for imported eggs.

The report finds:

• Most Imports Come from Countries Seeking EU Membership: Four-fifths of EU egg and egg-product imports by value come from countries that are candidates for EU membership. These countries have an additional incentive to align their domestic legislation with EU animal welfare standards as part of the accession process.

• Major Suppliers Already Have Cage-Free Production: Several non-candidate countries already produce substantially more cage-free eggs than their current exports to the EU. For all of these countries, we estimate that less than 5% of their cage-free production would cover their 2025 exports to the EU.

• A Strong Precedent for Equivalent Import Requirements: The EU has required imported meat to meet equivalent animal welfare standards at slaughter since 2013. Despite affecting around 20 times the share of EU imports that eggs and egg products account for today, the requirement attracted no formal challenge from trading partners.

• Adaptation Is More Likely Than Retaliation: Previous EU animal welfare import requirements have prompted diplomatic questions and objections, but these have generally led to clarification, cooperation and adaptation rather than formal WTO disputes or trade retaliation.