POLL: Rural and urban New Zealand aligned: 8 in 10 farmers want welfare standards applied to imports

New Curia polling shows farmer views match years of public opinion, six months out from election

In an alignment between farmers and the wider public, nearly 80% of New Zealand farmers want imported animal products to meet New Zealand's welfare standards - mirroring consistent public polling that has shown the same level of support for years.

New Curia Market Research polling commissioned by Animal Policy International, finds 79% of farmers agree. Just 10% disagree. The same proportion (78%) say political parties should commit to ensuring it happens.

A cross-spectrum consensus

Independent polling has now shown majority support in 2023, 2024 and 2026 - across the public, across farmers, and across every party's voter base. Two Horizon Research polls found support was over 80% from the public. And support was strong among voters of every parliamentary party. 2023 and 2024.

This is one of the few policy areas where urban consumers, rural producers and voters across the political spectrum are aligned. Despite the consistent public mandate, the gap between domestic and import standards remains unaddressed in current government policy.

The policy gap

New Zealand has set its domestic animal welfare standards through democratic process - sow stalls and battery cages have been banned or restricted. However, products from systems banned domestically continue to be imported and sold here. Around 60% of pork imports come from countries that allow sow stalls, banned in New Zealand since 2016. Over half of liquid egg imports in 2023 came from Australia and China, where battery cages remain legal; New Zealand's ban came into force the same year.

The Government's Product Labelling review, due to report in June, addresses country-of-origin labelling but not the underlying standards gap. A member's bill - the Animal Products (Closing the Welfare Gap) Amendment Bill - sits in the biscuit tin awaiting selection.

Independent legal analysis has found requiring imports to meet domestic welfare standards is compatible with WTO rules and New Zealand's free trade agreements. Independent economic modelling estimates potential growth in the domestic pork sector of $17.2 to $29 million annually. Retaliation risk from trading partners is assessed as low.

Election test

Rainer Kravets, Co-Executive Director of Animal Policy International, said the polling raised the stakes for parties heading into the election: "Reflecting domestic welfare standards at the border is a logical step, supported by the people who produce and the people who buy. New Zealand farmers carry the cost of meeting our standards.

Heading into election season, every party will say they back Kiwi farmers and listen to New Zealanders. This is one of the clearest tests of that commitment."

Walt Cavendish, of Farming With Walt, said farmers had spoken clearly: “If it’s sold in New Zealand, it should meet New Zealand standards. This is about fairness. Our farmers are being asked to meet some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and they’re proud to do it. But they should not be undercut by imports produced to lower standards. Now it’s up to political parties to listen and commit to a level playing field.”

Marie McAninch, Senior Scientific Officer (Farmed Animals) at SPCA New Zealand said “New Zealand farmers have always taken pride in caring for their animals, and this polling simply reflects that commitment. It’s no surprise to us that farmers want a level playing field where their efforts are respected. As parties shape their policies this election year, it’s clear that supporting animal welfare is something both farmers and the wider public can agree on.”

Read the full media release.