BC SPCA - Farm Animal Welfare Around the World

Humane Labelling Programs in Other Countries

In addition to public concern in Canada, there is growing international interest in farm animal welfare issues - in England the Freedom Food program has integrated improvements in animal welfare with a market-driven standards and assurance program. The great success of Freedom Food has led to a proliferation of other similar programs throughout the UK.

Other countries and organizations are pro-actively involved in farm animal welfare as well. Closer to home in the USA, Humane Farm Animal Care launched Certified Humane - an animal welfare labelling program similar to UK's Freedom Food.

The Royal New Zealand SPCA has launched the RNZSPCA Approved Eggs labelling program for barn (free-run) and free-range eggs.

The RSPCA Australia believes that farm animals must be treated humanely, compassionately, and with consideration. The RSPCA has developed its own National Food Accreditation program to promote cage-free hens and free-range pigs. As well, the RSPCA has launched Fair Go For Farm Animals campaign to urge the Australian government to end live exports, and the uses of battery cages and sow stalls.

Other European countries have created their own product and certification programs. Examples include Label Rouge in France and the Animal Index System in Austria.

While all of the above examples directly relate to food labelling programs addressing farm animal welfare, this is by no means the only avenue where changes to farm animal practices have occurred. Many countries throughout the world have Codes of Practice depicting the minimum requirements for the raising, handling and slaughter of farm animals raised for food. For example, the European Union has passed directives dealing with the rearing, transport and slaughter of several farm animal species, and has passed legislation banning the use of housing systems such as battery cages for laying hens and gestation crates for pregnant sows.

As awareness increases, animal welfare may also become an international trade barrier. The European Union may apply pressure to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address animal welfare in trade regulations, adding another dimension to trading agricultural products on the global market. Therefore, it is important for Canada to address the growing concern surrounding farm animal welfare.


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