International Trade Agreements and Livestock Industries

Abstract

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to explore international trade agreements and livestock industries.

Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.

Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to food safety regulations. The relationship between international trade agreements and livestock industries is complex, offering both opportunities and challenges. While these agreements facilitate market access and competitiveness for livestock producers, they also pose risks such as increased competition from foreign imports and environmental sustainability concerns. The effectiveness of trade agreements in promoting sustainable growth hinges on aligning trade objectives with broader policy goals, including food security and social welfare. Policymakers must strike a balance between promoting trade liberalization and safeguarding domestic interests, considering the diverse impacts on stakeholders. Moving forward, there is a need for greater coherence between trade policies and development objectives, emphasizing inclusive growth and cooperation to ensure the sustainable development of livestock industries globally.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Comparative Advantage theory, Heckscher-Ohlin model and New Trade theory may be used to anchor future studies on international trade agreements and livestock industries. The study yielded several key recommendations. These included enhancing the harmonization of sanitary and phytosanitary standards, promoting mutual recognition of regulatory measures, investing in infrastructure and capacity building, facilitating market access and diversification, promoting sustainable production practices, strengthening monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and promoting inclusive and participatory decision-making processes. These recommendations aimed to improve market access, ensure compliance with trade commitments, enhance sustainability, and foster inclusive development in the livestock sector.