Closing the Welfare Gap: Why New Zealand Must Apply Its Animal Protection Standards to Imports

New Zealand has some higher farmed animal welfare standards compared to other countries. However, a significant share of animal product imports are produced using methods that would be illegal in New Zealand, undermining Kiwis’ support for higher animal welfare standards and impacting local farmers. 

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83% of New Zealanders agree that imported products from outside New Zealand should respect the same animal welfare standards as those applied in New Zealand. 

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This report analyses New Zealand’s animal product imports and assesses the “welfare gap” between New Zealand and other jurisdictions. It reveals the extent to which our relatively high animal welfare standards are undermined by imported animal products.