IMS Animal Welfare

The IMS has made a short film which captures the inseparable links between the meat and livestock sector and animal welfare. The sound track is in English, with subtitles in Spanish and French. Click here to view the film now.

Welcome to www.internationalwelfare.org

The humane treatment of farm animals is ethically and economically essential for the international meat and livestock sector. That is why in countries throughout the world farmers and meat professionals have drawn up codes of conduct and voluntary guidelines to ensure that no unnecessary suffering is caused to livestock from the birth and raising of animals through to when they are slaughtered for meat. The public good also requires that ill-treatment of animals is sanctioned, so legislation is necessary to prevent it. The International Meat Secretariat (IMS) favours an ongoing dialogue with legislators, international organisations, animal welfare and consumer groups to promote the well-being of the animal within the context of an economically viable meat industry.

This site was designed to:

  • Provide access to an international data base of key documents relating to animal welfare regulations, voluntary codes and other relevant information thoughout the world.
  • Act as a forum for the exchange of information among members of the IMS Animal Welfare Committee. This part of the site is restricted and is accessible only through a password
  • Set out the position of the international meat industry on various animal welfare issues