Pig farmers respond to new welfare standards
Pig farmers are cautiously welcoming new animal welfare standards announced by the Government last week.
Pork NZ reports that more than 50,000 metric tonnes of overseas pork was imported into New Zealand during 2022, most of it from countries that allow pig farming practices that are illegal in New Zealand.
According to Pork NZ, almost two thirds of the pork consumed in NZ comes from overseas, but there is no requirement for it to meet our animal welfare standards.
Around 98% of the pork imported from overseas comes from countries that use sow crates, which are banned in NZ.
Our pork sector has more stringent welfare and environmental standards compared to other countries.
This sounds like a recipe for disaster for the NZ pig farming sector.
