Bill Fails to Protect Pigs and Farmers - NZ Must Require Imported Pork to Meet Same Standards
- Romy Gelber
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 7
Animal Policy International (API) is highlighting a critical gap in the new New Zealand pig welfare bill announced last week and discussed in the Parliament at its first reading today.
We stressed the need for both domestic and imported pork to adhere to the same welfare standards to help the Government fulfil legal requirements to phase out the use of farrowing crates - currently not addressed in the bill; prevent animal welfare gains from being undermined, and to assist farmers in transitioning effectively.
Background: The consultation on the pig code of welfare was the result of a judicial review bought by animal organisations challenging the continued use of farrowing crates for mother pigs. In 2020 the High Court ruled that the Minister of Agriculture and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee acted illegally when they failed to phase out farrowing crates and required the creation of new regulations that phased out cages for pigs in New Zealand.
Proposed Changes by 2035 in the The Animal Welfare (Regulations for Management of Pigs) Amendment Bill, tabled 1 October:
Farrowing crates: Confinement time reduced from 33 days to 7 days.
Mating stalls: Time reduced from 7 days to 3 hours at a time.
Grower pigs: Space increased by 13%.
Domestic and Import Parity: With the EU moving to phase out cage farming and apply standards to imports, New Zealand has the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve by doing the same. This alignment would provide practical support to farmers and ensure that higher welfare standards truly benefit animals rather than shifting cruelty abroad.
Importance of Import Standards
Current imports: Approximately 60% of the pork consumed in New Zealand is imported, mainly from countries like Canada, the United States and some European countries that allow the use of sow stalls and farrowing crates. New Zealand banned sow stalls in 2016 after a public outcry.
A level playing field: applying the same rules to imports makes it easier for New Zealand farmers to transition to higher‑welfare systems like no use of farrowing crates, protects their livelihoods, and ensures our nation’s animal‑welfare commitments are meaningful and not merely symbolic.
Legislative Efforts and Public Support
Recent Legislation: In May, Green MP Steve Abel introduced the Animal Products (Closing the Welfare Gap) Amendment Bill, supported by a petition with over 11,000 signatures, demanding that imported animal products meet local welfare standards.
Public Opinion: Over 80% of New Zealanders believe imported products should adhere to local welfare standards, reinforcing the government’s mandate to act.
API’s report also found many animal products come from countries that allow practices like confinement of egg-laying hens in battery cages, pigs in sow stalls and farrowing crates, and live lamb cutting (mulesing) of sheep - all banned in New Zealand due to welfare issues but still used by major trading partners.
Mandy Carter, Co-Executive Director of Animal Policy International said,
“Reducing confinement in farrowing crates is a good step, but more needs to be done - especially given the High Court ruling. Several countries have banned routine farrowing crates, and New Zealand could aim for the same. We urge the Government to be ambitious with animal welfare goals and apply these standards to imported pork. This is allowed under international trade rules and is crucial to prevent foreign producers with lower standards from undercutting Kiwi farmers. The public demands real, substantive change; nothing less will do.”
Read the full media release here.
