A Study on the Roles of the FTAs for the Animal Welfare in the International Trade System

Abstract

In spite of the co-existence between human and animal for a long time, it is hard to praise the efforts for developing animal welfare from the venue of international trade. It is because participating nations to this free trade system strive themselves to industrialize while relatively neglecting animal protection. As a matter of fact, not a few trade dispute cases under the GATT and WTO are criticized as their outcomes are considered to show the inclination in favors of economic than animal well-being. Entering into the 21st century, the EU begins leading the voices on enhancing interest in animal welfare from the international trade system. Failing its attempts in the multilateral stage, it turns its strategy into the regional trade system. Recently, mega-FTAs like the CPTPP and USMCA also make similar steps forward, and combining with the aforementioned EU FTA regulations, international trade system gradually but finally pays meaningful attention to the animal welfare, and ultimately the issues of sustainable development.