Closed petition Protect animal welfare standards in trade agreement with Australia

Closed on 28 November 2021

The Government should ensure that any trade agreement it reaches with Australia does not allow for the import of products from animals which have been subject to lower welfare standards. This could help protect the animals’ welfare, as well as UK farming businesses and the UK public.

There are concerns about Australia’s animal welfare standards. Giving the country tariff-free access to the UK would betray the high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards, especially considering the animal welfare laws that have just been released. Cruel practices that are banned in the UK are often carried out in Australia, including mulesing and sow stalls. Allowing the import of animal products tainted with these practices could set back animal welfare by decades.