Import rules a pig's ear
Pig farmers say the idea that not every pork product sold in New Zealand has to be produced to this country’s own welfare standards is unfair.
NZPork says the proposal to exclude pig farming from agricultural emissions pricing is pragmatic and sensible.
“NZPork has been advocating on this issue for some time so we’re pleased with this pragmatic and sensible decision by the Government,” says Brent Kleiss, chief executive of NZPork.
“The Government has acknowledged that there would be too much uncertainty about the price pig farmers would face and there are limited emissions reduction practices for some pig farming systems.
“Adapting a system designed for the dairy, sheep and beef sectors to be fit-for-purpose for pig farming would also have been complex.
“NZPork has repeatedly raised these issues and we are pleased that the Government has listened.”
Greenhouse gas emissions from pig farming account for just 0.2% of agricultural emissions in New Zealand every year.
Emissions from pig farming differ significantly to emissions from pastoral farming because pigs are monogastric so they naturally produce much lower methane emissions than ruminant animals.
