Stop Cruel Imports Comes to the New Zealand Parliament: Petition Launch Event

On 11 September, Members of Parliament, government officials, industry and NGO representatives met in the New Zealand Parliament for the launch of the new petition to Stop Cruel Imports.

The event was hosted by Labour MP Rachel Boyack, spokesperson for Animal Welfare, who said "I would like to acknowledge Animal Policy International for the work they have been doing. Standards for pork and poultry production are evolving internationally, and consumers are more and more aware of where their food comes from. Labour ensured there were animal welfare requirements under our trade agreements with both the UK and EU, that placed an obligation not to lower our country’s specific standards for any trade advantage. This was a good first step. but the work API has kicked off is about how we can make those standards better.” 

Attendees heard speeches from Boyack, Green MP Steve Abel, Animal Policy International, a farmer, Associate Professor of Law Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere who started the petition, and a trade lawyer and watched a short video revealing new footage from India.

Green MP Steve Abel who hosted API's report launch in March said "It is unfair for producers and it is unjust for animals that we can override legislative framework by importing products that have not met that standard we try to set. I think this framework should become a legislative framework and should be something we advocate for in this Parliament."

Dairy Farmer Walt Cavendish spoke via recorded video, saying "The welfare gap is growing with many imports not up to the high standards that consumers demand of their Kiwi Farmers, farmers are not able to compete on a level playing field and the high animal welfare standards are ignored on many imported products."

Speaking at the event, our Co-Executive Director Rainer Kravets said that applying equal standards to imports can help animals, farmers and New Zealanders. “New Zealanders have made it clear that they don't support cruel farming practices like battery cages. Allowing cruel imports produced under conditions we've banned here undermines our values and undercuts our farmers. It's time to close this loophole and ensure all products in our market meet our ethical standards."

Author of the photos: Dianna Thomson

See all photos on Flickr.

Sign the petition and visit stopcruelimports.nz to learn more.