Ethics, domestic food policy and trade law: assessing the EU animal welfare proposal to the WTO

摘要

In response to rising consumer interest in the well-being of animals used in commercial food production, the European Union (EU) has been increasing its animal welfare standards. This does nothing, however, to inform consumers of the welfare standards that have been applied to food that is imported. Satisfying consumers' desire to know about foreign,animal welfare standards, however, will require the labelling of imports. Labelling of imports for animal welfare purposes is not consistent with World Trade Organisation (WTO) obligations. Further, raising animal welfare standards increases costs for EU livestock producers reducing their international competitiveness. The EU has made a formal proposal to the WTO members to negotiate an agreement on international trade rules pertaining to animal welfare. This paper assesses the EU proposal in the context of both domestic food policy making and international trade law. It concludes that, as currently constituted, the WTO is unable to adequately address the issue but that re-negotiation is likely to be both difficult and acrimonious. Suggestions for WTO reform are presented.