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May 19, 2026
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October 6, 2026
Published
October 6, 2026
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Abstract

Animal husbandry is widely regulated across ASEAN Member States, particularly in relation to livestock production, health, breeding, transportation, and slaughter. However, these regulatory frameworks remain predominantly oriented towards human interests, including productivity, food security, public health, and economic utilisation, while protection against cruelty and unnecessary animal suffering remains fragmented. This regulatory gap is particularly significant considering ASEAN’s substantial potential for livestock development, especially tropical livestock, which contributes to the region’s economic and food-production systems. This study therefore examines the need for a common ASEAN framework capable of establishing minimum anti-cruelty standards in animal husbandry. It employs normative legal research through philosophical, conceptual, and statutory approaches. The philosophical approach examines the normative foundations of anti-cruelty and human obligations towards animals; the conceptual approach constructs the minimum normative threshold distinguishing legitimate animal utilisation from unacceptable cruelty and unnecessary suffering; and the statutory approach examines animal husbandry and welfare regulations across ASEAN Member States. The study finds considerable similarities in the regulatory parameters adopted by Member States, particularly concerning basic welfare, handling, transportation, health, and slaughter. Nevertheless, these protections are frequently limited to particular species, activities, or stages of the husbandry process rather than forming a continuous framework of protection. The study proposes an ASEAN Minimum Anti-Cruelty Framework that establishes general principles applicable across livestock species and throughout the husbandry process. Such a framework would reconcile the economic utilisation of livestock with animal welfare by establishing a common minimum threshold while allowing Member States to maintain higher national standards.

Keywords

Animal HusbandryAnti-Cruelty ClauseASEAN

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Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Irfan Dhiaulhaq AR (Author)

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