Over the past two decades, the welfare of slaughter livestock has become increasingly important to the consumer. It has also being recognised that both the quality and safety of meat products is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of animals. These developments have been reflected in international welfare legislation and standards for livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs entering the food chain. Legislated norms and standards for both ranched (farmed) and free-living wildlife entering the food chain have also been described and will be compared. The humane culling of game for local and international consumption and the welfare aspects of trophy hunting where the meat is used for human consumption will be evaluated.