Inaugural lecture by prof.mr. Annelies Freriks

Consumer pressure dictates animal welfare
Trade in animals and animal products has become big business. Global in character, it is governed by the rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). However, while the EU is busy specifying far-reaching requirements on animal welfare, the WTO dismisses the issue as a 'non-trade concern'. Achieving improvements in animal welfare therefore depends heavily on the consumer, according to prof.mr. Annelies Freriks, professor of 'Animal and law' in the faculty of Law, Economics and Governance at Utrecht University. She gave her inaugural lecture on 8 November 2006 with the title 'The impact of WTO rules on animal welfare'.

Conflicting interests
International trade in animals, and in products derived from animals, is governed by agreements under the ambit of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The agreements, however, include little by way of reference to the welfare of animals. This is problematical for the EU which has increasingly focused its own trade policy around animal welfare concerns. Improving the animal welfare situation is expensive and therefore endangers EU competitiveness. The EU is facing intense pressure over its intention to introduce far-reaching demands on animal welfare.

Influencing consumer behaviour
According to Freriks, 'The key to improving the situation in the short term depends on starting with the consumer. Consumers ultimately determine the kind of meat that ends up in the shops. Or, to put it in trade terminology, whether there is a market for animal products which have been manufactured according to European standards of animal welfare is dependent on consumer behaviour. This can ensure that key players in the production chain, right through to retailers, take into account animal welfare requirements in their dealings with their suppliers.' Governments have a variety of measures available to them for influencing consumer behaviour. For instance, food policy in Europe attaches considerable value to consumer information, even if this does not extend to labelling.

Amending WTO rules
Firmly anchoring the welfare of animals in international trade decisions over the longer term calls for amendments to be made at the WTO level. Currently, there is insufficient political support for this to be achieved. What is required is for the EU to gain sustained attention for these concerns within WTO negotiations. A more realistic option, according to Freriks, is to conclude agreements with trading partners at the EU level which include specific terms covering animal welfare.

Inaugural lecture
The inaugural lecture, 'The impact of WTO rules on animal welfare' by prof.mr. Annelies Freriks, of the faculty of Law, Economics and Governance at Utrecht University was held on 8 November 2006.