The Ethics of Animal Trade

The trade in live and dead animals and animal parts is a significant aspect of the global economy, but economic considerations are inevitably at odds with optimal animal welfare. Providing a snapshot of the current situation, this book discusses the background to modern international trade, welfare, and the environmental, economic and cultural issues. Covering farm, zoo and sport animals as well as the pet industry, the author draws together the competing interests and issues involved. Critically examining the overall ethics of the current situation and future of animal trade, he considers it within the context of food security, climate change, cultural sensitivities and consumer opinion.

""The Animal Trade" provides an accurate, comprehensive and balanced description of past and current practices, human concerns about these practices and the impact of these practices on the animals themselves. Clive Phillips has given us, in very readable form, a book that casts a great deal of much needed light onto the debate."--John Webster