As a result of the proliferation of industrial farm animal production on the one hand and growing global crises such as climate change and antimicrobial resistance on the other, food sustainability – including animal welfare – has become an increasingly important item on a long list of pressing concerns for people around the world. With over half of EU citizens expressing willingness to pay more for high welfare, and therefore more sustainable products, a mandatory ‘method-of-production’ label on the farming of animals used for food could enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. This policy brief explores the characteristics of an optimal method-of-production labelling system.

Animal welfare is an important moral concern in its own right and an inherent element of sustainability. On the one hand, industrial animal agriculture not only has low welfare standards but also puts several of the SDGs out of reach, including those related to smallholder livelihoods, food security, biodiversity, the environment and climate change. On the other hand, improving the welfare of working animals can contribute positively to several SDGs. Using trade policy to impact animal welfare is thus crucial to achieve the SDGs.

From frogs and reptiles to chickens and apes, Indonesia is home to a tremendous amount of biodiversity. Many of these animals suffer from destruction of their natural habitats or from their own exploitation for economic purposes – or both. A lack of attention in an EU-Indonesia free trade agreement could only intensify these problems. The trade negotiations, as well as the structures that such trade agreement can establish, should be used as an opportunity to discuss with Indonesia the enforcement of CITES-related rules to better protect endangered species and the welfare of farmed animals. The EU should be more ambitious
on conservation and not only work on animal welfare when there is a direct threat to its producers. If trade is really about projecting European values, it should ensure that liberalisation not only does not imply more
animals suffering but also promotes a better fate for all living creatures.

Contrary to the EU’s reputation as a world leader in animal welfare, FTAs have included little to no farm animal welfare protection whilst allowing considerable liberalisation of trade in animal products. The EU’s importance on the global market and its reputation on animal welfare mean it has a decisive role to play on this issue in its bilateral and multilateral negotiations.