Sustainability claims for international markets

Carlos Jalil
Trade and Animal Welfare Officer
Eurogroup for Animals
Rue Ducale 29, 1000
Brussels
Belgium

Brussels, 23 February 2025

Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
Canberra, ACT, 2601

Sustainability claims for international markets

Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the sustainability claims for international markets. Eurogroup for Animals, the pan-European animal protection organisation, wishes to contribute to this consultation as it presents an important opportunity to align sustainability efforts with global market expectations, particularly in the European Union (EU). As international markets increasingly emphasise sustainability, it is essential that Australian agricultural sectors take into account the growing importance of animal welfare as a critical component of sustainability claims.

Both Australia and the EU represent a combined population of 473 million citizens, many of whom demand better protections for farmed and wild animals. In Australia, 9 out of 10 citizens express concern about farm animal welfare. Similarly, nearly 90% of EU citizens believe imports should meet
EU animal welfare standards. Public sentiment and evolving regulations indicate that high animal welfare standards are an essential component of sustainability. The EU has long recognised animal welfare as integral to sustainable agriculture, a principle reinforced by recent policy developments such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which requires companies to disclose their environmental and social impacts, including those related to animal welfare within supply chains.

The EU is in the process of revising its animal welfare legislation to align with the latest scientific evidence and societal expectations. This revision aims to ensure higher welfare on-farm standards across the EU and enhance enforcement mechanisms. Ensuring that exports meet evolving EU animal welfare standards—such as stocking densities, breeding, mutilations, phase-out of cages—would enhance the credibility of Australia’s sustainability claims and secure continued access to international markets.

Rue Ducale 29, 1000 Bruxelles
Tel : +32 (0)2 740 08 20 info@eurogroupforanimals.org eurogroupforanimals.org
The paper rightly highlights the shift in trade agreements toward sustainability but notes that commitments remain largely aspirational. The lack of committal language often reinforces the negative impacts of intensive livestock farming. A significant portion of Australia’s beef exports to the
EU come from grain-fed feedlots, which are associated with animal health and welfare issues and environmental pollution. The EU-New Zealand agreement sets an important precedent by allowing only grass-fed beef imports, excluding feedlot-raised beef for sustainability reasons. Introducing similar provisions in future agreements would not only align Australia with evolving market expectations but also strengthen Australia’s commitment to high animal welfare and sustainability standards.

The commercial killing of kangaroos for meat and leather exports raises significant animal welfare concerns, particularly due to the cruelty of hunting methods. The EU is the main market for
Australian kangaroo meat and leather, an industry which raises concerns about animal welfare, conservation and public health. A recent survey found that 67% of Australians believe foreign markets should not drive the commercial killing of kangaroos. Given the EU’s commitment to the protection of wildlife, collaboration between Australia and the EU to prohibit trade in kangaroo-based products could align both regions with public sentiment and conservation objectives.

Aligning Australia's sustainability practices with evolving international expectations, particularly concerning animal welfare, is essential for maintaining trade opportunities. Proactive engagement in improving animal welfare standards would help meet regulatory requirements and resonate with consumer preferences in key markets like the EU.

Thank you for considering our input. We remain available for further discussions and collaboration on this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Carlos Jalil
Trade and Animal Welfare Officer
Eurogroup for Animals

Rue Ducale 29, 1000 Bruxelles
Tel : +32 (0)2 740 08 20 info@eurogroupforanimals.org eurogroupforanimals.org