EU: Animal Welfare Standards to be Extended to Imported Products

Animal Policy International welcomes the European Commission’s promising announcement that it will ensure that future legislative proposals on animal welfare apply the same standards to all products marketed in the EU, including imported products.

In a landmark move to address animal welfare concerns, the European Commission has just unveiled its Vision for Agriculture and Food, signaling an important commitment to extend EU animal welfare standards to imported products. The document outlines the future direction for Europe’s farming and food system. Key takeaways include that on cages, labelling and imports:

Cage Farming: The Commission will closely exchange with farmers, the food chain and civil society and on that basis present proposals on the revision of the existing animal welfare legislation, including its commitment to phase out cages. This revision will be based on the latest scientific evidence and take into account the socio-economic impact on farmers and the agri-food chain, providing support and appropriate, species-specific transition periods and pathways.
Labelling: The Commission will consider targeted labelling in relation to animal welfare to address societal expectations.
Imports: To ensure that the EU’s concerns about animal welfare and environmental protection are considered, and to uphold EU’s moral values in response to societal demand, the Commission will pursue, in line with international rules, a stronger alignment of production standards applied to imported products, notably on pesticides and animal welfare. In the area of animal welfare, the Commission will make sure that future legislative proposals apply the same standards for products produced in the EU and those imported from third countries, also addressing enforcement related issues and concerns expressed by EU citizens. The targeted review of the animal welfare legislation will be an opportunity to apply this, in a WTO compliant way and based on an impact assessment

The EU imports a substantial amount of animal products from major agricultural producing regions like Brazil. At the moment only the EU's regulations protecting animal welfare at slaughter apply to imported products.

Last year a EU Commission report highlighted concerns about the effects that future EU trade agreements could have on global animal welfare through low welfare imports. The report analysed 10 trade deals that were currently in negotiation or awaiting ratification. It found that those agreements are projected to significantly increase low welfare animal product imports.

Imports of beef could rise by over 81,000-91,000 extra tonnes - mainly from Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay), Australia and New Zealand.
Poultry imports could increase by over 209,000 tonnes, with the majority coming from Mercosur and Thailand.
The report also confirms the effects of some agricultural sectors, placing importance on the volume limits granted in FTAs to animal based products in order to “prevent possible adverse economic and social impacts.”

European Commission

In October 2023, a Eurobarometer showed that when it comes to imports from non-European Union countries, 84% of people believe that the current situation should change, either by requiring imports to meet EU standards, or a labelling system. The barometer, an official tool that is used to advise the EU institutions, surveyed over 26,000 citizens across all member states in March 2023.

“Whilst a vision, rather than a solid plan, includes promising directions on cages, labelling and on imported products, translating these into concrete action will be crucial” says Senior Policy Manager, Tashi Thomas. “Closing the loophole that allows the EU's consumption of imported goods to fuel practices that are or will be banned within the EU is essential. Without extending standards to imports proposed welfare measures like the ban on cages we risk merely shifting cruel farming practices beyond our border.”

Extending the EU's legislation to imported products is compatible with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules under GATT Article XX. As stated in the Vision, concerns about animal welfare are also about "upholding moral values in response to societal demands".

Other Countries

The EU's vision comes at a crucial moment for the UK, which faces similar challenges with low-welfare imports. With mounting evidence that trade deals like the Australia agreement and CPTPP are increasing imports of products from farming practices banned in Britain, such as live lamb cutting and battery eggs, there is growing pressure for UK action.

The EU's promising steps toward extending animal welfare standards to imports could provide a timely model for UK legislation, especially given strong public support on both sides of the Channel for preventing domestic bans from simply offshoring cruel farming practices.
The EU's vision is also an important precedent for New Zealand, where over 60% of pork consumed is imported and mainly from countries that still allow the use of sow stalls, banned in New Zealand years ago. As New Zealand continues to negotiate trade agreements, following the EU's lead in extending animal welfare standards to imports would help prevent the undermining of domestic regulations while maintaining the country's reputation for higher farming standards.