International issues.

Abstract

Globalization and global issues affect all animals, particularly those kept primarily for monetary reasons. This contributes to internationalism - activity by individuals or groups on an international basis, including sharing of information. We discuss the impacts on animal welfare of increasing trade in animals and animal products, including competition for lower costs but also the initiation of global welfare standards and some tendency towards the 'levelling up' of animal treatment. Two aspects of treatment that pose major problems for the welfare of huge and increasing numbers of animals are transport and killing, including slaughter for food production. However, here too there is growing awareness of the benefits to both animals and people of humane animal treatment and, therefore, the implementation of improved techniques in many countries. Both increased communication about animal welfare and greater involvement of stakeholders (including civil society) in international decision making are resulting in positive outcomes for welfare, although many problems remain to be addressed, for vast numbers of animals worldwide.