A free trade agreement with Australia must urgently consider the welfare of animals! 

At my breakfast event with renowned experts, among others from HSI Europe and Humane Society International Australia, we examined the impact of a trade agreement between the EU and Australia on wildlife and farm animals.

After all, animal agricultural products such as meat and milk are highly traded commodities between the two trading blocs.

The focus was therefore on whether and how farm animals and wildlife could benefit from such an EU-Australia agreement.

During the five years of negotiation of the trade agreement, the framework conditions in animal welfare in the EU changed tremendously.

Not only does the “farm to table” strategy provide for a revision and expansion of existing EU animal welfare legislation. Also, as part of the Biodiversity Strategy, the European Commission has presented its revised EU Action Plan against illegal wildlife trade.

Trade policy must be used as a tool to bring about positive change for wildlife life and agriculture!

The EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement should become more progressive than the one between the EU and New Zealand: All chapters on sustainable development for food systems and for animal welfare should become enforceable.

Thanks to all participants in Brussels and online!