As the Government prepares to unveil its new trade strategy amidst global trade turmoil, a new report released today (29 April), in Westminster, by Compassion in World Farming, Animal Policy International and the RSPCA has found that of the UK’s 88 trading partners that can currently, or may soon, export animal products to the UK without tariffs, 84 (95%) have lower farmed animal welfare standards than the UK. The report warns that many animal products imported into the UK are produced using methods that are illegal here, and there is an urgent need to address this issue to avoid it worsening with new trade deals that could undermine both British values and higher welfare UK farmers.

With the UK Government currently pursuing a trade deal with the US which is rumoured to include chicken, pork and beef, the release of this report is especially timely. 

The report, “Closing the Welfare Gap: Why the UK Must Apply Its Animal Protection Standards to Imports”, reveals for the first time the current and future landscape of the UK's animal product imports. It identifies critical gaps in animal welfare standards between the UK and those that export to it and proposes a legislative solution to require animal products imported into the UK to meet domestic animal welfare standards.

Entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star, Deborah Meaden who penned the foreword for the report, said: “Closing this "welfare gap" must be a priority. It’s about integrity. We don't just want suffering outsourced overseas - we want an end to farmed animal cruelty entirely.”

Key insights from the report show:

• Of the UK’s 88 trading partners that can currently, or may soon, export animal products to the UK without tariffs, 84 (95%) have lower animal welfare standards than the UK. New trade agreements with countries such as the US and India may increase imports that don't meet UK welfare standards, undermining decades of progress.
• Although barren battery cages for egg-laying hens were banned in the UK in 2012, new trade deals could allow these products from countries like India and Mexico.
• The UK banned the production of foie gras and fur farming, yet still permits the importation of these products.
• Over 50% of UK pork is imported from countries that still allow sow stalls, banned in the UK since the 1990s.
• The UK is effectively outsourcing animal cruelty, with already high numbers of farmed animals suffering overseas for the UK market. This is likely to increase.

The UK, celebrated for its dedication to animal welfare, has emerged as a global frontrunner in establishing some rigorous standards for farmed animal welfare. However, a significant portion of animal products sold in the UK are imported from countries with less stringent animal welfare regulations. These products are often produced using methods that would be illegal in the UK, undermining the effectiveness of UK laws. 

This situation also creates an uneven playing field, disadvantaging higher-welfare British farmers – effectively outsourcing animal cruelty by allowing practices British voters have long rejected to enter the UK market through the back door.

As the UK forges ahead with its independent trade policy in the post-Brexit era, the risk of compromising animal welfare gains has intensified. Recent free trade agreements have set concerning precedents by allowing imports from systems that are illegal in the UK. And negotiations with nations like India, Mexico and the US, threaten to further flood the UK market with lower-welfare products, potentially erasing decades of progress in animal protection.

The report finds that, by ensuring that the UK's commitment to animal welfare extends to products sold in the UK, regardless of origin, the Government can create a fairer, more consistent approach that reflects British values and supports higher-welfare farming practices. The organisations are calling on the Government to have comprehensive legislation on imports.

James West, Chief Public Affairs Manager at Compassion in World Farming, said: “An overwhelming 84% of British people support restricting or banning low-welfare imports that do not meet UK standards. Despite this strong public sentiment, current regulations, except for slaughter, do not require UK farm animal welfare standards to be met for a product to be imported or sold in the UK. It is imperative that the Government ensures all animal products sold in the UK, whether produced domestically or imported, meet British animal welfare standards.”

Mandy Carter, Co-Executive Director at Animal Policy International, said: “The UK now faces critical choices for how best to pursue a successful trade agenda with its upcoming trade strategy. This really is a pivotal moment and we must act now to avoid this situation getting much worse. Allowing imports with lower welfare standards creates a race to the bottom that sells out British values and farmers. Just as we regulate imports to safeguard our slaughter laws, we should also do so for production methods, protecting the values of British people  and upholding our reputation. It’s time to close the welfare gap.”

David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, said: “As discussions on any possible future trade deal between the UK and US to avoid tariffs come under the public spotlight, we remain steadfast that the striking of any deal with the US must not make concessions that allow imported animal products produced to very low welfare standards onto our supermarket shelves. As well as introducing low welfare products into the UK it would prevent a better trade deal with the EU and would undermine our own higher domestic standards - hitting the livelihoods of UK farmers hard; all while flying in the face of what many consumers want.”

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For more information please email media.team@ciwf.org or call 01483 521 615.

Read full report.

Notes to Editors 

1. Animal Policy International is a global NGO specialising in trade and farmed animal welfare with offices in the UK and New Zealand. The charity is calling for animal welfare legislation to also be applied to imported products via unilateral legislation. To find out more about API visit: www.animalpolicyinternational.org
2. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the RSPCA) exists to inspire everyone to create a better world for every animal. Every day, we change lives, laws, industries and minds so all animals can live a better life. To find out more about the RSPCA visit: https://www.rspca.org.uk/
3. The government is expected to publish a new trade strategy setting out how it intends to support its mission to boost economic growth. In May, the UK will begin its 'reset' with the EU as the Prime Minister hosts a major summit with EU leaders.