[EU's] push for an #AnimalWelfare label risks an epic trade dispute

"There will be fights over an EU-wide label within Europe as well. The Council’s decision is breathtaking in its scope and, not surprisingly, anticipates frictions." https://thehill.com/opinion/international/531855-europes-push-for-an-animal-welfare-label-risks-an-epic-trade-dispute

WTO rules are of the same nature as competition rules on the EU internal market. When figuring out how to make rules on animal welfare labeling compatible with EU rules on competition, the Commission will also find a way to comply with international trade rules.

The fact that a voluntary label could be considered to have the same effects as a mandatory label ("de facto mandatory") is an interesting point. That could explain the Commission's tepid view, which envisions this label more as a quality label like IGP/PDO/Organic.

A mandatory method-of-production labeling, like we have for shell eggs, would be more efficient from an #AnimalWelfare, consumer information and a competition perspective. An animal welfare label might create more problems than it solves them, for little added-value...